December 2, 2014
EDMONTON – Alberta Health Services has undertaken a comprehensive planning process to look at health services and infrastructure supports required to meet the current and future health needs of the Edmonton Zone into the year 2030.
Once completed, the Edmonton Zone 2030 Plan will be the first long-term plan created for the Edmonton Zone since the creation of the current AHS Zone structure in 2011.
“As providers of health services, it is our responsibility to plan for the future health needs of Edmonton Zone residents and those referred to the Edmonton Zone for health services. This means we need to plan for the services, resources and physical structures to meet those needs,” said Deb Gordon, Chief Health Operations Officer, Northern Alberta.
“The Edmonton Zone 2030 Plan will also serve as a guide as AHS starts similar planning processes for other zones.”
Phase 1 of the planning process is now complete, resulting in two reports: the Phase 1 Current State Report and the Phase 1 Final Report.
The first report provides a snapshot of the current condition and inventory of 18 facilities in the Edmonton Zone as of June 2013. It will be used to develop a detailed database of the current state of Edmonton Zone health care facilities and form the basis for future infrastructure improvements as required over time.
The Government of Alberta and Edmonton Zone health foundations have already invested more than $260 million and $30 million respectively toward necessary improvements.
The second report – Phase 1 Final Report (October 2013) – looks at potential short-term strategies to the year 2015-16, to improve service delivery and relieve capacity pressures at the 18 facilities.
“The Edmonton Zone 2030 plan outlines the need for the evolution of health care delivery in the Edmonton Zone, with a focus on helping decrease the growing demand on acute care services and meeting the needs of a growing and aging population,” said Dr. David Mador, Medical Director, Northern Alberta.
Calgary and Central Zones are also moving ahead with 2030 plans, ensuring health care service and infrastructure planning is done in a consistent and thoughtful way across the province.
Activity trends, future demographic analysis and projections are being used to forecast demand for services and assist with the development of the Edmonton 2030 Plan. More than 1,000 stakeholders, including front-line staff, physicians and partners, have been engaged in the consultation process, and more will be engaged as the planning process continues.
Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.
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