Alberta Health Services is moving ahead with approximately 50 initiatives outlined in the AHS Performance Review Implementation Plan.

Some of these initiatives, such as Operational Best Practice, reduction of overtime, vacancy management, consolidation of purchasing hubs, reduction of duplication between AHS and Alberta Precision Laboratories, and further reductions in discretionary spending are already well underway. Others have been publicly discussed previously, such as the contracting of community lab services and the consolidation of Emergency Medical Services dispatch. AHS will move forward with contracting linen and laundry services and community laboratory services by issuing Request for Proposals for contracted vendors this fall. AHS will further explore the contracting of environmental services and food services.

AHS will also undertake a management review, as well as a review of the executive leadership team, two initiatives included in the AHS Performance Review.

In total, the savings will amount up to $600 million over several years.

The Government of Alberta has issued a news release outlining some details of the review and next steps.

The pace of implementation will be slowed to ensure that AHS is able to continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in recognition of the government’s commitment to maintain AHS’ frontline clinical workforce.

The AHS Implementation Plan was submitted to Alberta Health. Please note that the implementation plan includes all of the original recommendations contained in the report. At this time, only some of the initiatives are approved by government.

Our focus remains on protecting, caring for and supporting Albertans now and into the future.

We will continue to do this work in partnership with our employees, physicians, the communities we serve, and all Albertans.