June 28, 2024
Finding efficiencies, reinvesting in front-line care
An update as we work on Core Review; improve efficiency, optimization and productivity; and refocus the healthcare system. (more...)
Access supports for an active lifestyle
Resources are available to help you stay active. Explore options that suit your needs. (more...)
Mental Wellness Moment - The link between vitamins and mental health
Dr. Nicholas Mitchell talks about supplements and vitamins, especially Vitamin D, and whether they can affect mental health. (more...)
Share your ideas on finding efficiencies
Please share your suggestions for finding efficiencies and reducing administrative burden. (more...)
New resource supports family presence
A new resource for healthcare providers and staff aims to make designated family/support people feel more involved. (more...)
New printers are coming soon
IT is analyzing the current Lexmark print environment and consolidating or replacing printers across the organization. (more...)
Whistleblower protection awareness survey now open
The survey, for public sector employees in Alberta, is designed gauge awareness of a service available to you. Survey closes July 12. (more...)
Take the Alberta cancer care survey
The survey, conducted by AHS, seeks expectations and experiences related to cancer care. It’s open until July 16. (more...)
Cross Cancer Institute researcher named to Order of Canada
Dr. Vickie Baracos, who works out of the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton, has been appointed to the Order of Canada. (more...)
June 28, 2024
I’d like to share some updates as we work on Core Review; improve efficiency, optimization and productivity; and continue to support work to refocus the healthcare system to improve patient care and service delivery.
Work is well underway to prioritize projects. Despite the challenges we are navigating together, we remain undeterred from these goals. Over the summer, our leaders will share more details with you as we evolve and adapt in an environment of change.
As I’ve shared before, our 2024/25 funding includes an increase of 3.6 per cent from the previous year. This is significant and important funding, and Core Review will help us to find efficiencies to address the increased service volumes we are experiencing, as well as wage, benefit and inflation requirements.
Our organization-wide initiatives to date include discretionary spending restrictions, reductions in overtime, hours of work, and enhanced vacancy management. There will be more initiatives to come as we review every facet of the organization for opportunities to streamline and optimize performance.
Refocusing how we care for our patients and their families will support long-term improvements in healthcare. Our job as a healthcare delivery organization is and will continue to be continuous improvement of front-line acute care health services. Change of this magnitude always comes with challenges and difficult decisions will need to be made, but I know that we will continue to deliver the high-quality care that Albertans expect and deserve.
As we identify opportunities and help to define the future of healthcare across the province, I’m counting on, and appreciate, the great people around me. With your help, we’re creating a financially sustainable plan that promises results across the province.
I hope what I’ve shared today will help energize you to get us through this together. Let’s focus on what we can control, support our teammates and continue to do amazing things every day.
As we move forward with transparency, I welcome your ongoing feedback. Speak with your teams to identify more cost savings at the local level. Visit our online engagement platform (Together4Health) where you can share your thoughts through this tool.
Thank you so much for all that you do every day.
Athana Mentzelopoulos
AHS President and CEO
Resources are available to support you on your physical health journey. Explore these options to find the right fit for you.
For questions, email wellness@ahs.ca.
Dr. Nicholas Mitchell talks about supplements and vitamins, especially Vitamin D, and whether they can affect mental health.
As AHS continues to find efficiencies across the organization, we are gathering your ideas on how we can make further improvements and remove barriers, enabling us to deliver the best patient care for all Albertans.
Please share your ideas on cost savings and reducing administrative burden. Join the conversation on our Together4Health page to provide your input. AHS is committed to supporting our people make decisions efficiently and effectively.
For more information on how to participate, see Cost Savings & Burden Reduction.
At AHS, a patient’s designated family/support people are important partners in patient care and they are welcome 24 hours a day. Not only are they an essential support for a patient and involved in many aspects of planning and decision-making around patient care, they’re also an invaluable source of information about a patient’s health history, preferences and care needs.
There are many ways you can involve and support these individuals. Engagement & Patient Experience developed a new resource, Why Family Presence Matters, to support healthcare providers and staff in identifying ways to ensure a patient’s family/support people feel welcomed, appreciated and remain a key partner in care.
Thank you for helping to ensure we’re honouring family presence and living up to our Shared Commitments by working with and supporting these important people. Learn more about AHS’ Family Presence Policy Suite. If you have questions, email us at patient.engagement@ahs.ca.
The IT Print Refresh Project team has been tasked with analyzing the current Lexmark print environment and consolidating or replacing printers across the organization, as many are reaching end-of-life support.
The project team will engage directly with each affected site as required with project details and aim to make the transition as seamless as possible with minimal impact to staff.
The project is expected to wrap up next year.
Questions? Visit the Printers page.
All public sector employees in Alberta are invited to participate in a survey designed gauge awareness and perceptions of an essential service available to you as an employee regarding whistleblower protection. The survey — conducted by an independent legislative office — is entirely optional. It is not an internal initiative, it is anonymous, and no identifying information is being collected.
Your feedback will provide valuable insights and help direct future initiatives, educational opportunities, and reform in this area.
The survey ends July 12.
Once open this fall, the Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre will be the largest cancer facility in Alberta, delivering leading, comprehensive patient- and family-centred care that integrates education, prevention, screening and research.
In advance of the fall opening, we want to hear from you. In 15 minutes or less, take this survey, and let us know what you expect and may have experienced when it comes to cancer care. The survey is open to anyone until July 16, and all answers are anonymous. Feel free to share our survey link with others.
Congratulations to Dr. Vickie Baracos, who has been appointed to the Order of Canada. Dr. Baracos, who works out of the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton, has transformed our understanding of cachexia, a debilitating syndrome that causes rapid weight and muscle loss in patients with advanced-stage cancer, leaving them with a skin-and-bones appearance. A professor at the University of Alberta, she developed groundbreaking insights into the fundamental biology of this complex condition. Her work has since led to clinical classification and diagnosis, and has paved the way for treatment and improved patient outcomes.
Established in 1967, the Order of Canada celebrates outstanding achievements and extraordinary contributions. See the list of all 83 appointments.
