Albertans appointed to Health Advisory Councils
November 19, 2009
RED DEER – The Alberta Health Services Board has appointed members to three Health Advisory Councils. Forty-three Albertans have been appointed in total to council areas 7, 9 and 10 (see map attached).
Health Advisory Councils will provide meaningful opportunities for public engagement with Alberta Health Services. Acting in an advisory capacity, the role of the councils will be to engage community members, gathering input and feedback on local health service delivery in communities across the province.
“The Health Advisory Councils provide Albertans with a significant opportunity to help us best plan for and deliver quality, accessible and sustainable health services in their council areas,” said Board Chair Ken Hughes.
“The Albertans appointed have each expressed a commitment to helping us support the health and well-being of their fellow community members,” said Hughes. “We appreciate their desire to be involved and look forward to working with them in the future.”
The newly appointed councils are expected to hold their first meetings early in the new year. An orientation will be part of those meetings. Councils will be expected to meet four to six times per year.
Council members will serve two- or three-year terms depending on an individual’s availability to make the appropriate time commitment. Varied term lengths will also stagger turnover and help maintain experience on councils. Members will be asked to recommend a council chair. The Board will have final approval.
“Engagement is identified as one of our organization’s four values,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Stephen Duckett. “Moving forward with these councils and providing new venues for Albertans to communicate with us and provide insight on local health issues is a key strategy in the success of Alberta Health Services.”
Members are expected to be appointed to the remaining nine councils at the Board’s December 3rd regular meeting in Edmonton.
Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than 3.5 million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.
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