Alberta strengthens local primary care

Alberta strengthens local primary care
New regional oversight will help close primary care gaps across Alberta and strengthen access in rural communities.

Alberta’s government is creating seven primary care corridor health corporations under Primary Care Alberta. These organizations will take on the planning, reporting and coordination work that can pull front-line providers away from patient care. The corporations will align with Alberta’s existing regional health corridors, giving every part of Alberta a dedicated organization focused on addressing local needs and ensuring primary care planning reflects the communities it serves.

This new model builds on the recommendations and consultation done through the Modernizing Alberta’s Primary Health Care System (MAPS) initiative, where Albertans and health care providers called for a stronger regional approach to primary care. For Albertans, especially in rural communities, this means a stronger focus on closing local care gaps and keeping more care closer to home.

“Albertans deserve a primary care system that responds to the needs of their community. This new model gives local teams clearer directions, stronger accountability and better coordination so more Albertans can connect with the care they need.”Justin Wright, Minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services

If a patient cannot see their family physician, the primary care corridor will help securely share their information with the appropriate care provider so critical records follow them through the health system and Albertans receive coordinated, seamless care wherever they access services.

This new model will reduce the administrative load on front-line providers by handling regional planning, funding agreements, reporting and coordination. This will allow primary care networks to focus on delivering local, team-based primary health care with physicians, dieticians, nurses, pharmacists and other health professionals.

“The most exciting part of Primary Care Alberta is the opportunity to shape the growth and evolution of primary care in this province. Making meaningful progress depends on strong collaboration, and PCA looks forward to working with the Government of Alberta, existing primary care networks, the new provincial health corporations and health system partners to ensure Albertans in both urban and rural settings have access to the care they need.”Kim Simmonds, chief executive officer, Primary Care Alberta (PCA)