Alberta's New Primary Care Agency to Launch by Nov. 1

The Alberta government is set to launch a new primary care agency, Primary Care Alberta, by November 1, as part of a significant restructuring of its provincial health authority. Health Minister Adriana LaGrange announced the initiative during a recent press conference, emphasizing that the new agency aims to enhance access to family doctors and nurse practitioners while introducing innovative primary care models and expanding after-hours virtual care options.

LaGrange noted that Alberta Health Services (AHS) has been unable to prioritize primary care effectively due to its extensive responsibilities across the healthcare system, which includes everything from community care to acute care. She stated, “We need to ensure that primary care is not lost or forgotten, and that’s why we have a dedicated agency for primary care.”

Dr. Kim Simmonds, an epidemiologist and former assistant deputy minister of strategic planning and performance for Alberta Health, has been appointed as the first CEO of Primary Care Alberta. She highlighted the critical role of primary care as the first point of contact for Albertans seeking healthcare, aiming to create a system where patients have a consistent, trusting relationship with their providers.

Despite the optimism surrounding the new agency, concerns remain about ongoing delays in implementing a new payment model for family physicians and rural generalists. Alberta Medical Association (AMA) President Dr. Shelley Duggan expressed that family doctors are anxious about their financial stability, which could impact their willingness to engage with the new agency.

Opposition NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi criticized the government’s plan, suggesting that the restructuring merely creates additional administrative layers without addressing the core issues affecting healthcare delivery. He argued that real decisions on funding and training would still be centralized in the minister’s office.

As Alberta's healthcare system undergoes these changes, stakeholders are closely watching to see if the new agency can effectively stabilize and enhance primary care services across the province.