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 to support our strategic directions. AHS has established the following councils to support ongoing collaboration and engagement. In 2016-17, more than 80 new volunteer members were added to the councils, with a total of over 190 members on these councils.

Health Advisory Councils - HACs

Health Advisory Councils (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 system and where there are areas in need of improvement. Each of the 12 HACs was established in 2009-10 and represents a different geographical area within the province. The HACs report to the AHS Board Chair.

1. True North – La Crete, High Level & Area
2. Peace – Peace River, Grande Prairie & Area
3. Lesser Slave Lake – Slave Lake, High Prairie & Area
4. Wood Buffalo – Fort McMurray & Area
5. Lakeland Communities – Lac LaBiche, Redwater, Cold Lake & Area
6. Tamarack – Hinton, Edson, Whitecourt & Area
7. Oldman River – Lethbridge & Area
8. Greater Edmonton – Edmonton & Area
9. Yellowhead East – Camrose, Lloydminster & Area
10. David Thompson – Red Deer & Area
11. Prairie Mountain – Calgary & Area
12. Palliser Triangle – Medicine Hat & Area

Wisdom Council

Wisdom Council provides guidance and recommendations on the development and implementation of culturally appropriate and innovative health service delivery for Indigenous Peoples. It is comprised of Indigenous Peoples with wide-ranging backgrounds, including traditional knowledge-holders, youth, nursing professionals and health consultants.

Provincial Advisory Council on Addiction and Mental Health

Provincial Advisory Council on Addiction and Mental Health advises AHS on programs and services for provincewide addiction and mental health treatment. It provides evidence-based recommendations that improve quality of services and patient satisfaction through effective service planning.

Provincial Advisory Council on Cancer

Provincial Advisory Council on Cancer advises AHS on programs and service for province-wide cancer care. It provides evidence-based recommendations on prevention and screening, diagnosis, treatment and care, and research.

Alberta Clinician Council

Alberta Clinician Council is an organization-wide forum comprised of front-line clinicians from a variety of disciplines and zones. Applying their collective knowledge, experience and expertise, the council advises senior leadership on issues and opportunities to improve quality, access and patient safety.

Patient and Family Advisory Group

Patient and Family Advisory Group brings patient and family voices into AHS. Partnering with senior leaders, it reviews policy and strategies and shares insights from patients’ perspectives on planning and delivery of healthcare services.

Patient Engagement Reference Group

Patient Engagement Reference Group brings together Strategic Clinical Network™ (SCN) Patient and Family Advisors and Patient and Community Engagement Researchers (PaCERs) to incorporate the patient voice into SCN work. The group meets quarterly providing a forum for consultation, networking, and partnership building between advisors and SCN leaders.

Seniors & Continuing Care Provincial Advisory Council

Seniors & Continuing Care Provincial Advisory Council was launched in January 2018. It aims to improve the delivery of services to seniors and those in continuing care (long-term care and designated supportive living) across Alberta. The new council has 15 members from across the province who have personal interactions with, or who are caregivers, for clients in continuing care.