Impact of the Provincial Budget

Over the past week, the provincial government has announced several investments in healthcare; for example, a $63-million investment will complete 11 new operating rooms and 17 additional recovery beds at Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary. As well, the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre will undergo a $1.8-billion expansion.

There is also continued investment in Connect Care, and a $300-million investment over three years to create more critical care beds. In fact, 50 permanent, fully staffed ICU beds will be added this year, distributed in every zone across the province.

By 2024-25, government will add a total of $1.8 billion in operating expense to the total healthcare budget, which means $600 million more in 2022-23 than the previous year.

Joining me to tell us more about the healthcare investments from provincial budget, our own budgeting process, and how these investments will affect AHS, are:

• Colleen Purdy, Vice President, Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer.
• Kaitlyn Eros, Executive Director of Budgeting and Forecasting, Finance.