Fundamental change needed as Alberta health system is 'not working', minister says

Health Minister Adriana LaGrange says the Alberta government is fundamentally restructuring health care because the system "is not working."

"Any Albertan who has gone to a hospital or to a clinic and had to endure the long wait times and not had access and not have quality care knows that we need to do something differently," LaGrange told the house during question period Monday.

"The average Albertan cannot get in to see a family physician when they need to.

"What's happening right now is not working, so we are committed to improving the system."

Premier Danielle Smith's government has promised to introduce in the current fall sitting a plan to decentralize Alberta Health Services that will deliver more decision-making and accountability to regions.

LaGrange told the house she has met with stakeholders and other Albertans and is acting on their concerns.

"I'm excited about what we are bringing forward that will actually refocus the system [and] empower the workforce," said LaGrange.

"They're wanting change. We're going to give it to them."

Opposition NDP Leader Rachel Notley said Smith's government has proven it is not up to the challenge given it had to recently reverse a program to outsource more community lab testing to Dynalife, a decision that resulted in an explosion of long waits for testing in Calgary and southern Alberta.

"This UCP government has to be kept as far away as possible from our health-care system," Notley told LaGrange.

"After this lab fiasco, this government must know they have zero credibility with Albertans."

Community lab-testing is now being restored to the government by the end of the year, and LaGrange said wait times are improving.

Notley noted the auditor general has agreed to investigate the Dynalife deal, and urged LaGrange to wait.

"Why won't the minister agree to wait and see how much this mess costs Albertans before she goes off to try and create a new one?" said Notley.