New primary care agency rolls out November 1 in Alberta

The Alberta government says long-term care and supportive living programs will no longer be under the purview of the provincial Health Ministry.

Instead, Seniors and Social Services Minister Jason Nixon will be responsible for continuing care programs across Alberta.

The change comes as part of the provincial government’s health-care system overhaul that is seeing Alberta Health Services broken up into four new agencies, including one responsible for continuing care.

Nixon says details about the new agency, such as what it will be called and when it will be operational, are still being finalized.

Health Minister Adriana LaGrange announced Tuesday that Primary Care Alberta is the new organization responsible for overseeing basic forms of care such as family doctors and nurse practitioners.

Another new agency called Recovery Alberta took over the mental health and addictions portfolio from Alberta Health Services earlier this year.

Government officials have not disclosed whether or not the transition from AHS to Primary Care Alberta would lead to any job losses.