November 1, 2024
Working together to avoid, reduce service disruptions
I will be hosting a series of conversations across the province to talk about ways in which we can avoid or reduce the impact of service disruptions. (more...)
Learn strategies for better sleep
Reduced daylight hours can impact your everyday routine and well-being. Access different supports to help maintain balance in your day. (more...)
Final Connect Care launch goes live tomorrow
AHS will complete the ninth and final launch of Connect Care early tomorrow morning. (more...)
Phased opening starts for new cancer centre
The Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre in Calgary opened its doors on Oct. 28 to welcome patients into all outpatient areas. (more...)
Our People Survey starts Monday
Our People Survey starts Nov. 4. Have your voice heard and complete the survey. It takes about five minutes and is anonymous. (more...)
AHS posts latest Health Plan, Annual Report
AHS has posted its 2023-2024 Annual Report, 2024-2027 Health Plan and 2024-2025 Business Plan. (more...)
Help keep our workplace safe and scent-free
AHS supports scent-free spaces. Learn how to champion a comfortable environment for all. (more...)
Get immunized and report your flu shot
Prevent the spread of seasonal respiratory viruses by getting immunized at a Workplace Health and Safety clinic or in the community. (more...)
New job title for clinical assistants and clinical surgical assistants
AHS clinical assistants and clinical surgical assistants have been retitled Associate Physician. (more...)
Register for Patient- and Family-Centred Care Week webinars
Join Engagement and Patient Experience for webinars on Nov. 18 and Nov. 20 that focus on key elements of patient-centred care. (more...)
Learn about the ethics of managing aggressive behaviours
Join a discussion on the ethics of managing aggressive behaviours on Nov. 6 from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. (more...)
Organ and tissue donation awareness campaign wins national award
Give Life Alberta’s public awareness campaign promoting organ and tissue donation has won a national advertising award. (more...)
November 1, 2024
As part of my commitment to transparency and open dialogue, I will be hosting a series of conversations across the province in November and December to talk about service disruptions and to collaborate on ways in which we can avoid or reduce the impact of those disruptions.
I want to hear from physicians and AHS staff on how we can enhance recruitment, attraction and retention of healthcare workers, and what we can do differently when we deliver healthcare, especially in rural areas of the province.
Service disruptions at AHS facilities are a key concern for the public and, while concerted efforts are being made to reduce both the number and impact of service disruptions across the province, we know they will continue to be an issue – particularly in small, rural hospitals – until we can recruit and retain more staff to these communities.
Service disruptions are also impacting you – AHS leaders, staff and physicians. We know you make every effort possible to avoid disruptions and you see the impact of the disruptions on your communities, patients and clients. We also know you have creative and innovative ideas for how we can improve our approach, and I want to hear from you.
I will begin by holding engagement conversations in Fort Macleod (Nov. 20), Lac La Biche (Nov. 29) and Ponoka (Dec. 4) and will extend to other impacted communities in the New Year. Some events will be virtual; however, our goal is to be in communities in person wherever possible. More details will be shared as events are scheduled. If you have any questions, you can contact community.engagement@ahs.ca.
I look forward to hearing from you!
Sincerely,
Athana Mentzelopoulos
AHS President & CEO
Daylight saving time is coming to an end on Sunday. The reduced daylight hours can bring changes to your routine and sleep habits. Explore different ways to stay balanced and well-supported.
Physicians can contact the AMA Physician and Family Support Program, also a confidential 24/7 support line, at 1-877-SOS-4MDS.
Questions? Contact wellness@ahs.ca.
Early tomorrow morning, AHS will complete the ninth and final launch of Connect Care, bringing more than 11,000 additional staff and physicians at 155 AHS and AHS-partner sites and locations onto the common provincial information system.
Launch 9 includes:
Following Launch 9, more than 125,000 staff, physicians and other healthcare providers will be using Connect Care to improve care for patients in more than 1,000 sites and programs across all five AHS zones.
The Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre in Calgary opened its doors on Oct. 28, welcoming patients into all outpatient service areas. Tomorrow (Nov. 2), all inpatients currently in Foothills Medical Centre will be transported to the nearby Arthur Child as part of its phased opening.
The new cancer centre has:
To learn more about the building, please visit ahs.ca/arthurchild.
AHS has published its 2024-2027 Health Plan and 2024-2025 Business Plan. These public accountability documents outline the strategic actions AHS will undertake to fulfil its legislated responsibilities. They provide a roadmap for delivering patient-focused, quality health services that are accessible, safe and sustainable for all Albertans.
Additionally, the AHS 2023-2024 Annual Report is now available. This report showcases the progress made on the priorities and metrics established in the AHS 2023-2026 Health Plan. It highlights efforts to minimize workforce impacts and service delivery disruptions during the transition to four specialized health agencies, all designed to enhance efficient, coordinated and patient-centred care for Albertans.
Our People Survey starts Nov. 4. Have your voice heard and complete the survey. It takes about five minutes and is anonymous.
Look for an email from Gallup with the survey invitation. Gallup conducts Our People Survey for AHS, Alberta Precision Laboratories and Recovery Alberta. Our IT external-email warning will pop up but this is an approved email and safe to open.
Your feedback matters. The survey is an opportunity for you to share how you’re doing. Based on your 2023 feedback, there are open text questions for you to share your thoughts. The more people we hear from, the more informed teams will be.
Learn more including a survey highlights video. Questions? Contact engage@ahs.ca.
Part of AHS’ dedication to providing a healthy, safe and inclusive work environment is to promote awareness of the impact scents and odours can have on individuals with sensitivities.
In consideration of patients and their families, visitors to our sites and our people, help us keep the air we share clean, fresh and fragrance-free by avoiding wearing perfumes, body sprays or other scented products.
These resources can help you champion a scent-free workplace:
Contact your WHS safety advisor or HRBP advisor with any questions.
Getting immunized plays an important role in preventing outbreaks and keeping our workplace safe.
There’s still time to get your seasonal immunizations (influenza and COVID-19) at a Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) clinic. Here are your options:
You can also get immunized at a pharmacy or a public health clinic (for households with children under five). If you choose these options for your influenza immunization, please remember to submit a Got My Flu Shot form to support with influenza outbreak planning.
For more information, visit Seasonal Immunization for Workers.
AHS clinical assistants and clinical surgical assistants have been retitled Associate Physician. There are no changes to their scope of practice or any other terms of employment.
AHS values the important role associate physicians play in our healthcare system. This new title better captures the scope of work of these practitioners and is aligned with the title of similar employees in other jurisdictions in Canada. The change is also supported by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta.
If you have any questions, please reach out to your acute care coverage department lead or catherine.keenan@ahs.ca. Associate physicians should reach out to their manager for further information, as needed.
During Patient- and Family-Centred Care Week, Nov. 18-22, AHS’ Engagement and Patient Experience team is hosting two webinars for all staff and healthcare providers.
Nov. 18, noon to 1 p.m. – Bringing it all together: Engagement, equity and patient safety
Presented by Healthcare Excellence Canada
This session will discuss how patient experience weaves together safety, equity and engagement, and how they intersect into practice within health systems. Register.
Nov. 20, noon to 1 p.m. – Precision health: The future of personalized care
Presented by AHS staff, Nicola Martens & Consuelo (Coty) Ong
Join two recent graduates from the University of Calgary Precision Health Master’s program to deepen our understanding of what precision health means for the future of patient-centred care and discover inspiring examples of how it's being implemented in Alberta. Register.
Learn more about AHS’ commitment to patient- and family-centred care by visiting Engagement & Patient Experience and reviewing our Shared Commitments.
The Clinical Ethics Service is offering a spotlight session on Nov. 6 from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. to help guide and support staff and patients through ethical decision-making. The Ethics of Managing Aggressive Behaviours highlights the ethical considerations in managing aggressive behaviours that we encounter while delivering healthcare. Register.
Give Life Alberta’s new public awareness campaign promoting organ and tissue donation has won a national advertising award.
The All the Ways video series, created by ZGM Modern Marketing Partners, earned a coveted 2024 Applied Arts Advertising Award in the PSA/Charity Video Series category. Entries were judged on creative merit, technical excellence and suitability for the category.
Give Life Alberta, AHS’s organ and tissue donation program, worked closely on the project with ZGM and families who donated a loved one’s organs and tissues. While the campaign’s tone is lighthearted, its goal is to normalize talks about deceased donation. Grieving families faced with the difficult decision to donate often find it easier if they know what their loved one wanted.
To see All the Ways, visit GiveLifeAlberta.ca.
