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By rdnewsNOW Staff

LED BY DR. OBERG

Provincial government launches review to inform healthcare refocusing process

Sep 23, 2024 | 5:06 PM

In an effort to ensure that the level of care in new provincial health agencies meets expected standards and puts patients first after roles are restructured, the province is launching a Seamless Patient Experience Review.

Officials say that Albertans expect the new system to offer improved outcomes and performance, such as access to consistent, appropriate, and efficient care across different sectors.

The review is meant to ensure these goals are met and will be led by Dr. Lyle Oberg, who will provide recommendations to the Integration Council on the implementation of a smooth patient experience in the context of a refocused health care system, representatives add.

“When we began refocusing the health-care system, we said that improving the patient journey would be at the centre of this work. I am confident Dr. Oberg will provide insightful recommendations that will support the overall efforts to improve healthcare for all Albertans,” says Minister of Health Adriana LaGrange.

To conduct the review, Dr. Oberg is expected to consult with a range of health-care professionals who work across the four main sectors representing the new provincial health agencies: primary care, acute care, continuing care, and Recovery Alberta. Oberg will also be expected to work closely with the Ministry of Health, Alberta Health Services (AHS), and the Healthy Quality Council of Alberta, plus new provincial health agency leadership.

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“Albertans want a health-care system that will deliver high-quality care and ensure that their health-care journey is a smooth and positive experience. The system needs to work for them and the health-care workers who will be delivering the care they need,” says Oberg. “I look forward to exploring how the refocused health-care system can deliver on a seamless patient experience and ensure Albertans get the best care possible now and into the future.”

Some of the recommendations expected include:

• How service providers can deliver consistent, appropriate and seamless care as patients move between providers.
• How provincial health authorities integrate patient care, reduce variation and provide consistent care across their sectors, including a framework for operational policies.
• Inputs for accountability agreements and/or contracts with service providers.
• Monitoring and reporting of variation between care providers within sectors.
• How to hold the provincial health authorities accountable for the consistent delivery of care between service providers and ensure seamless patient care.

Dr. Oberg will report directly to the minister of health and will provide an interim report in December to support the launch of the new provincial health agencies. A final report with recommendations is expected to be provided to the Integration Council in March 2025.

A new board chair, Angela Fong, is being appointed to AHS so Oberg can focus on the review. Effective Sept. 19, Fong will take on the leadership role and offers more than 25 years of experience in organizational transformation and business integration.

“Improving the delivery of high-quality healthcare in Alberta is something that I am deeply committed to achieving. I am honoured to be given the opportunity to lead the Alberta Health Services board as we work to transform the organization into an acute care delivery provider. I am committed to an effective transition to the new structure in support of all Albertans,” says Fong.

Oberg will remain an AHS board member in the meantime.

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