Nixon appointed to province’s new
continuing care health agency

By Kaicheng Xin
Staff Reporter

The Hon. Jason Nixon, MLA for Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre, has been appointed as the sector minister of Alberta’s new continuing care provincial health agency. The MLA will oversee continuing care as the government works toward establishing the new agency in addition to being Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services.

“As the new sector minister for continuing care, I am committed to ensuring seniors, people with disabilities, people facing homelessness and other vulnerable Albertans are supported with comprehensive, wraparound services that meet both their medical and non-medical needs,” said Nixon. “I look forward to ensuring that rural communities like Rocky Mountain House and the surrounding area will have access to the health care and social supports they need, closer to home.”

Nixon also said that as MLA for Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre, he acknowledged seniors and other community members who want to remain in the communities, but are forced to move to urban centres as they require more supports.

“As sector minister for continuing care and one of the members of the health care refocusing initiative, I look forward to ensuring that the perspectives of Albertans in rural areas are included in this important transformation.”

The UCP government says it is committed to ensuring that all Albertans receive “better services, improved outcomes, enhanced local decision-making, and more support for Alberta’s front-line workers.” To achieve this, the government is refocusing the health care system to meet the needs of Albertans by creating four fully integrated provincial health agencies. These agencies will address the priority sectors of primary care, acute care, continuing care, and mental health and addiction.

Additionally, the province has established two provincial health agencies, Recovery Alberta and Primary Care Alberta, with input from more than 30,000 healthcare professionals and Albertans.

The provincial government announced that Acute Care Alberta, a new provincial health agency, will begin operating in spring 2025 to improve access to acute care services. The agency will work with service providers to reduce wait times and ensure efficient patient care.

The province previously introduced Primary Care Alberta to coordinate and deliver primary health care services across Alberta. This agency aims to reduce wait times by directing non-emergency patients away from emergency departments, thereby reducing pressure on acute care services while supporting day-to-day health needs.

“As of Nov. 18, Primary Care Alberta is a legal entity under the leadership of Kim Simmonds. Her first task is to support the transition of operations by setting the agency’s vision and mission, implementing policies and processes, and developing plans. Simmonds and her leadership team will work closely with existing primary care teams at Alberta Health Services to establish the new agency,” an official said.

The province is also implementing a new regional approach to health system planning through seven integrated health corridors. These corridors, based on data and public feedback, will enable evidence-based planning and seamless patient journeys.