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. The following Councils support ongoing collaboration and engagement. In 2018-19, 66 new volunteer members were added to the Councils, with a total of 238 members.
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. The 12 HACs, who report to the AHS Board, were established in 2009-10 and represent different geographical areas within the province.
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.
Advise AHS on programs and services for province-wide addiction and mental health treatment; provides evidence-based recommendations that improve quality of services and patient satisfaction through effective service planning.
Advise AHS on programs and service for province-wide cancer care; provides evidence-based recommendations on prevention and screening, diagnosis, treatment and care, and research.
Launched in January 2018; aims to improve the delivery of services to seniors and those in continuing care (long-term care and designated supportive living) across Alberta
Launched in early 2019; members have lived experience within the healthcare system and understand the needs and barriers faced by sexual and gender minority communities; work of the PAC helps create a safer and more welcoming healthcare environment for sexual and gender minority (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and 2 Spirit or LGBTQ2S+) patients and their families
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, Inuit, and Métis members, from urban and rural communities, with wide-ranging backgrounds, including traditional knowledge-holders, youth, nursing professionals and health consultants.
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 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.
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.