Advisory Councils help bring the voice of Alberta’s communities to healthcare services. Community input allows us to better address the health needs of Albertans and brings decision-making to the local level. AHS is committed to engaging the public in a respectful, open and accountable manner.
Health Advisory Councils (HACs) work in partnership with the AHS Community Engagement team and zone leaders to bring the local perspective to AHS’ delivery of healthcare services in Alberta. HACs engage members of the public in communities throughout Alberta and provide advice and feedback from a local perspective on what is working well in the healthcare delivery system and where there are areas in need of improvement. The 12 HACs, which report to the AHS Board, represent different geographical areas within the province.
Each Health Advisory Council has up to 15 members, with each individual serving three-year terms for a maximum of six years. Recruitment for membership is an ongoing activity as vacancies arise when members complete their six-year maximum terms or leave the councils. In 2020-21, HACs enhanced their efforts to engage with the public and shifted to online events during the pandemic. As a result, public participation at meetings and events increased by 380 per cent compared to last year.
The Addiction and Mental Health Provincial Advisory Council works in partnership with the AHS Provincial Addiction & Mental Health team on provincewide programs and services. The council provides recommendations that seek to improve system access, quality of service and patient satisfaction. In 2020-21, members collaborated with national partners to address topics including community-based supports for alcohol use disorder during a pandemic and the impact of COVID-19 on people who live with long-term conditions or disabilities, among others.
The Cancer Provincial Advisory Council provides advice related to priorities for cancer services, including screening and prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care, and research. Members are experts in cancer-related fields, have a loved one touched by cancer or are cancer survivors. In 2020-21, council members provided input on several initiatives, including the Cancer Care Alberta virtual care initiative and the Cancer Treatment Prioritization Framework.
The Seniors and Continuing Care Provincial Advisory Council works in partnership with the AHS Provincial Seniors Health & Continuing Care team to improve the delivery of AHS services to seniors and Albertans receiving continuing care services and supports. In 2020-21, council members participated in COVID-19 planning activities related to visitation restrictions and guidance for essential visitors in licensed supportive living and long-term care facilities.
The Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression Provincial Advisory Council aims to create a safer, more inclusive, and welcoming healthcare environment for sexual and gender minority (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and 2 Spirit or LGBTQ2S+) patients and their families. In 2020-21, the council hosted a virtual information webinar to build awareness of the new council and encourage members of the public to attend regular council meetings.
The Wisdom Council provides guidance and recommendations on the development and implementation of culturally-appropriate and innovative health service delivery for Indigenous Peoples. It is made up of Indigenous Peoples with wide-ranging backgrounds, including traditional knowledge-holders, youth, nursing professionals and health consultants. The council recognizes knowledge keepers as distinct members within the Wisdom Council Elders Circle. Elders can opt to continue to serve after their membership term ends. In 2020-21, the council was asked to name the newly amalgamated Indigenous Health Program and Indigenous Health Strategic Clinical Network™. The Provincial Indigenous Wellness Core offers a ‘home’ for Indigenous health which enables AHS to advance the important work identified in the Indigenous Health Strategy.
Alberta Clinician Professional Practice Council is a forum for clinicians to share knowledge, experience and expertise to inform decision-making on key AHS programs. The council consists of frontline clinician members, senior operational leaders and practice leaders. Its role is to advise and give feedback on strategies related to patient outcomes, access, clinical practices, quality healthcare and patient safety. Despite the pandemic, council members provided feedback on six organizational priorities in 2020-21, including Connect Care, Our People and the Allied Health Workforce Plan.
The Patient and Family Advisory Group is a council of patients and family members from across Alberta who volunteer their time and experience to improve the quality, safety and experience of healthcare services. Together with senior and executive leaders, physicians, clinicians and clinical support teams, advisors work to ensure the voices of patients and families are included in the design and planning of policies and services within AHS. In 2020-21, members contributed approximately 1,700 volunteer hours and participated in more than 80 consultations related to COVID-19, including addressing visitor restrictions, surgical service continuity and patient experience. Their advice and feedback brought valuable lived experience and perspective to planning efforts throughout the pandemic.
Strategic Clinical Networks (SCNs) are provincial teams who bring together the experience and expertise of health-care professionals, researchers, government, communities, patients and families to improve health and care across Alberta. SCNs support the delivery arm of our provincial health system. This ensures accountability, alignment of priorities and resources and supports collaboration, engagement and rapid knowledge translation of evidence into care. In 2020, several networks amalgamated with provincial programs to support integration, clinical excellence and program delivery. Each network and provincial program focuses on a specific area of health and is united by a common mission: to improve the health of Albertans by bringing together people, research and innovation.