Alberta's new primary care agency to launch by Nov. 1 in health overhaul

The Alberta government is moving forward with plans to restructure its provincial health authority, with Health Minister Adriana LaGrange announcing that the newly established Primary Care Alberta will launch by November 1.

LaGrange explained that the new agency will focus on improving access to healthcare providers, such as family doctors and nurse practitioners, developing new primary care models, and expanding after-hours care through virtual options.

Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday, she said that Alberta Health Services (AHS) has been unable to prioritize primary care because of its broad responsibilities across the healthcare system, which include community and acute care services.

“We need to ensure that primary care doesn’t get lost or overlooked, which is why we’re setting up a dedicated agency,” LaGrange stated.

She emphasized that Alberta already has the foundation for a strong primary care system, crediting existing healthcare providers but noting that improvements are essential.

Part of a Larger Restructuring

The creation of Primary Care Alberta is part of the government’s plan to break AHS into four specialized agencies. According to LaGrange, the division will help streamline the system by clearly defining roles and responsibilities. Once the transition is complete, AHS will focus solely on hospital care.

New CEO Named

Dr. Kim Simmonds, an epidemiologist and assistant deputy minister for Alberta Health, has been appointed as the first chief executive of Primary Care Alberta.

“Primary care is the foundation of the healthcare system,” Simmonds said. “It’s the first point of contact for Albertans when they need care, and both its strengths and weaknesses impact the entire system.”

Simmonds outlined her goal for Albertans to have ongoing, trusting relationships with primary care providers within a “health home,” where patients won't need to repeatedly tell their medical histories and will receive timely referrals to community services.

LaGrange said it’s too early to say whether the shift from AHS to the new agency will result in job losses and did not specify the costs of establishing the agency. However, she noted that funding for primary care is included in AHS's existing budget. “We’re still determining how to allocate resources, but we are ensuring Dr. Simmonds has what she needs to get started,” she added.

Delayed Payment Model Raises Concerns

Despite the impending launch of Primary Care Alberta, the introduction of a new payment model for family physicians and rural generalists remains delayed, frustrating many healthcare providers.

Dr. Shelley Duggan, president of the Alberta Medical Association (AMA), expressed concerns that the absence of the new payment model is destabilizing practices across the province.

“Right now, many family doctors are questioning whether they can keep their practices running from one month to the next,” Duggan told CBC News. “It’s hard for them to engage with the new agency when they’re unsure if they’ll even be in the province in a few months.”

Last October, the AMA signed a memorandum of understanding with the province, and Alberta's health minister indicated in April that the new payment model would be in place by fall. However, during Tuesday’s news conference, LaGrange did not provide an update on when it would be implemented.

Duggan added that the AMA is still trying to understand the practical role of the new agency. “We’ve heard what it won’t do, but we still don’t have a clear picture of what it will do or whether it can help stabilize the system and recruit more doctors,” she said.

Opposition Criticism

Opposition NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi criticized the creation of the new agency, saying it won’t achieve the intended outcomes.

“The only difference is that now there’s a new CEO to pay, another management layer to fund, and physicians with AHS email addresses will probably have to switch to new ones,” Nenshi told reporters in Lethbridge. “The real decisions about funding and training will still be made by the minister.”

The restructuring of AHS will eventually introduce two additional agencies, responsible for hospital care and continuing care, respectively.

Meanwhile, another agency, Recovery Alberta, assumed responsibility for mental health and addictions services from AHS on September 1.