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 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. In 2021-22, HACs participated in a number of high-priority initiatives including COVID-19, EMS hours of work, rural health engagement planning and physician recruitment. To learn more, visit the HACs online at ahs.ca/hac.
The Wisdom Council and Elder Circle provide guidance and recommendations to AHS on service delivery, program design and evaluation of provincewide, culturally-appropriate health services delivered by AHS to Alberta's Indigenous peoples. In 2021-22, the Wisdom Council continued to address systemic racism by participating in a discussion led by Diversity and Inclusion on developing an Anti-Racism Position Statement. This statement brings a consistent, comprehensive approach to AHS' anti-racism activities and will help the AHS workforce better understand their role in addressing racism.
The Alberta Clinician Professional Practice Council is a forum for clinicians to share knowledge and experience 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. In 2021-22, council members provided feedback on several topics including standardized services and approaches in allied health, performance frameworks, psychological health and safety, and anti-racism actions.
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 2021-22, council members provided their expertise to the Provincial Addiction Counselling Practice Group, the Provincial Addiction and Mental Health Advisory Councils and to adjudicating and participating in Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Health System (PRIHS) grant projects.
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 affected by cancer or are cancer survivors. In 2021-22, council members provided input on several key initiatives including the Ambulatory Oncology Patient Survey, the Alberta Cancer Diagnosis Initiative and a new lung cancer screening pilot program.
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 2021-22, council members provided input on several topics, including a research project for caregivers in the paid labour force, home care service scope and COVID-19 initiatives impacting continuing care.
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 2021-22, the council was consulted by the Alberta Breast Cancer Screening Program to provide input on inclusive language for promotional materials. The council also developed an internal guiding principles document as a resource for inclusivity in care and in the work environment.
The Provincial Patient and Family Advisory Council is comprised 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 enhance the principles of patient- and family-centered care through the design and planning of policies and services within AHS. In 2021-22, the Patient & Family Advisory Group and the Connect Care Patient & Family Advisory Committee merged to form PFAC. Members contributed more than 1,600 volunteer hours and participated in more than 50 consultations related to COVID-19 pandemic response, Connect Care, anti-racism, Patient First commitments and the AHS Performance Review.