Premier Danielle Smith says the first steps are coming this fall to decentralize Alberta’s health-delivery system.
Smith told delegates at the Alberta Municipalities convention that Health Minister Adriana LaGrange is presenting her plan to cabinet next week to revamp Alberta Health Services.
Smith says if the plan is approved work will begin immediately in order to align it with any funding needed in next year’s budget.
Smith has directed LaGrange to change AHS to make it more responsive to regional needs and focus more on direct hospital care.
Alberta finished centralizing its health system 15 years ago to create AHS.
Opposition NDP Leader Rachel Notley says the plan is a recipe for chaos given the United Conservative government’s track record.
Notley noted last month Smith’s government abandoned its attempt to fully privatize community lab services after the changes resulted in long waits for tests in Calgary and southern Alberta.
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