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WHEREAS on November 8, 2023, the Government of Alberta announced the “Refocusing Alberta’s Health Care System Initiative” to improve health outcomes and empower health care workers to deliver quality care across the province; and
WHEREAS Ministerial Order 300/2024 established the Integration Council and its terms of reference; and
WHEREAS the terms of reference states that the Integration Council will be chaired by the Minister of Health, with support from the Minister of Mental Health and Addiction, the Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services, and will have members from each new sector-specific provincial health agency; and
WHEREAS in October 2024, the Government of Alberta released the Rural Health Action Plan 2024-2027 , which states that “The discrepancies between the health care available to Albertans in and around urban centres and those who live in more rural and remote communities has been a growing concern for many years. These communities face unique health care challenges that call for creative solutions that create more equitable access to health care that they want and deserve;”
Operative Clause:
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Government of Alberta immediately appoint a separate and dedicated rural generalist as a voting member to the Health System Integration Council and within the new health board leadership structure to ensure that rural Albertans have an appropriate and continuous voice for their health care.
Member Background:
Rural Albertans face healthcare challenges that are distinct from those faced by urban regions, including limited access to specialists, lengthy travel times for care, and fewer resources to address mental health, continuing care, and addiction services. Additionally, key decision-making bodies lack adequate rural representation which perpetuates systemic inefficiencies and disparities in care for rural communities while failing to acknowledge the distinct needs of rural patients.
The province’s shift to a new integrated healthcare system—organized into four divisions: Primary Care, Acute Care, Continuing Care, and Mental Health and Addictions—offers an opportunity to address these issues. However, the current structure of the Integration Council does not include a designated rural generalist who can provide critical insight into the realities of rural healthcare.
RMA members have been advocating that the Government of Alberta consider the “rural lens” before making all decisions.
The Integration Council’s purpose, as defined by M.O 300/2024 is:
The current structure of this committee is listed below:
| VOTING MEMBERS | NON-VOTING MEMBERS |
| Minister Health | Minister Technology and Innovation |
| Minister Mental Health | Deputy Minister Technology and Innovation |
| Minister Seniors, Community and Social Services | Chair Health Quality Council Board |
| Deputy Minister Health | CEO Health Quality Council |
| Deputy Minister Mental Health | CEO Canadian Center Recovery Excellence |
| Deputy Minister Seniors, Community and Social Services | |
| Chair Alberta Health Services Board | |
| CEO Recovery Alberta | |
| CEO Primary Care Alberta | |
| Managing Director Procurement and Optimization (Health) |
A rural presence on the Integration Council and the new Health Care Leadership Board would provide an invaluable perspective on the challenges faced by rural patients, from effective communication in referrals to navigating broader social determinants of health. It is crucial that rural communities, which often rely heavily on team-based care models, have a voice in shaping healthcare policies and systems that affect them. Appointing a dedicated rural generalist to the Integration Council and new Health Care Leadership Board will help ensure that Alberta’s healthcare system delivers equitable and effective care for all Albertans, regardless of geography.
hlth-refocusing-albertas-health-care-session-handout.pdf
RMA Background:
1-24F: Attraction and Retention Strategy for Rural Health Care Professionals
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Rural Municipalities of Alberta advocate for the Government of Alberta to urgently prioritize a commitment to long-term sustainable funding to accelerate implementation of the Rural Health Action Plan 2024-2027 and the work of the Rural Health Professions Action Plan that focuses on increasing the total number of health care professionals in rural and remote Alberta.
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