How Should Alberta Modernize Primary Health Care?

Official title: Modernizing Alberta's Primary Health Care System (MAPS) Engagement

Closed Policy & Studies Health & Safety Indigenous & Northern
Alberta asked health care leaders and experts how to improve access to family doctors, nurse practitioners, and other primary care services. The advisory panels have now finished their work. Their reports recommend team-based care, better integration with community services, and culturally safer care for Indigenous Peoples.

Why This Matters

Can't find a family doctor? You're not alone. Many Albertans struggle to get timely primary care. These recommendations could change how you access health services—from walk-in clinics to pharmacists to nurse practitioners. For Indigenous Albertans, this also addresses racism in health care and calls for Indigenous-led services.

What Could Change

Alberta may restructure how primary care is delivered, with more team-based clinics where you see doctors, nurses, and pharmacists together. The province committed record funding in February 2023 based on these recommendations. Indigenous communities could gain more control over designing and delivering their own health services.

Key Issues

  • How can Albertans get better access to team-based primary care?
  • How should primary health care integrate with community care services?
  • How can the health system address racism against Indigenous Peoples?
  • How can Indigenous communities lead the design and delivery of their own health services?

What Happened

The advisory panels completed their work and submitted final reports with recommendations. The Strategic Advisory Panel provided 11 recommendations focusing on team-based care, integration between primary and community care, and system accountability. The Indigenous Advisory Panel provided 22 recommendations under 5 themes addressing health equity, racism in health care, culturally safer care, system innovation, and Indigenous ownership of health services. Following these recommendations, the government made record funding commitments in February 2023 for early investments to strengthen primary health care.

View 'What We Heard' Report

Key Documents