Latest news with #AdrianaLaGrange
Edmonton Journal
4 hours ago
- Health
- Edmonton Journal
The last of Alberta's four health agencies will be operational in the fall. Here's who is in charge and what each agency does
Acute Care Alberta focuses on emergency care, surgeries and specialized treatments, and aims to reduce wait times. Recovery Alberta provides services for Albertans in need of both mental health and addiction support including counselling and bed-based treatment. Assisted Living Alberta, once operational, will provide support for older adults, people with disabilities and vulnerable Albertans with accessing services including continuing care homes, community care and social services. In mid-May, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith restructured her government's cabinet for the first time since winning the election in 2023, breaking up the role of health minister into four new roles to reflect the government's four new health agencies. Former health minister Adriana LaGrange became the minister of primary and preventive health services, which will oversee Primary Care Alberta. LaGrange will also be overseeing the restructuring changes. Hospital and Surgical Services Minister Matt Jones will oversee Acute Care Alberta. Rick Wilson became the minister of mental health and addiction and will oversee Recovery Alberta. Jason Nixon becomes minister of assisted living and social services, overseeing Assisted Living Alberta. Alberta is currently without a permanent chief medical officer of health (CMOH) with Dr. Sunil Sookram currently serving as the interim CMOH as of April 18. He was appointed to the role days after Dr. Mark Joffe's contract expired. Joffe was in the role on an interim basis after the province followed through on its 2022 commitment to fire Dr. Deena Hinshaw, who held the position throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. When asked about where the search is for a new permanent CMOH, the ministry of primary and preventative health services said in a statement to Postmedia that the government is 'fully committed' to finding the 'right person to fill the role' and will have more to say once a successful candidate is found. 'The role of chief medical officer of health is critical to the health and safety of all Albertans. The recruitment process for a permanent CMOH is ongoing, and we are dedicated to selecting a candidate with the experience, leadership, and qualifications necessary to guide the province's public health efforts,' the statement said. 'Alberta's government remains vigilant in its approach to measles and other public health concerns. We are committed to ensuring clear information and resources are available to help Albertans protect themselves.' — With files from The Canadian Press
Toronto Sun
14-07-2025
- Health
- Toronto Sun
Alberta surpasses U.S. in confirmed measles cases with more than 1,300 since March
Published Jul 14, 2025 • 1 minute read Alberta Minister of Health Adriana LaGrange speaks during a news conference in Calgary, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. Photo by Jeff McIntosh / THE CANADIAN PRESS EDMONTON — Alberta has surpassed the United States in confirmed measles cases, after 30 new cases were diagnosed over the weekend. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The province reported Monday that it has seen 1,314 cases since the beginning of March. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported 1,288 cases so far this year across 39 states. The outbreak of the highly contagious disease hasn't led to any deaths so far in Alberta. Three people, including two children, have died in the United States. The U.S. has also seen more hospitalizations, with the CDC reporting 162 people have been hospitalized compared to just over 100 Albertans. Dr. Craig Jenne, an immunology and infectious disease professor at the University of Calgary, says Alberta's low vaccination rate meant it was only a matter of time before the province surpassed the U.S. in cases. Jenne said he doesn't think Alberta or other provinces dealing with outbreaks will be able to get transmission under control before the fall, when Canada could lose its measles eradication status, which it has held since 1998. RECOMMENDED VIDEO Editorial Cartoons NFL Golf Uncategorized World
CTV News
19-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
CPSA streamlines registration for new foreign doctors from ‘approved' countries
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta is streamlining the process for foreign doctors to acquire licences in Alberta. (Pexels/Antoni Shkraba Studio) Newly graduated doctors coming from an approved list of countries will have an easier time acquiring a licence in Alberta, officials said Wednesday. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) said all foreign-trained doctors from a list of approved jurisdictions whose credentials match Canadian standards will be eligible for full licences. The CPSA says the move is part of its Accelerated Jurisdiction Route, which has proven to support strong physician performance and safe patient outcomes. 'We are reducing barriers while maintaining the standards that Albertans count on and deserve. We believe it's a practical, thoughtful approach to strengthening our health-care system and ensuring timely access to safe, competent care,' said Dr. Scott McLeod, CPSA registrar and CEO, in a news release. The approved jurisdictions include medical schools in the United States, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. The CPSA says the change aims to modernize registration and ensure 'equitable access' for all qualified international medical graduates. 'Strengthen Alberta's health workforce' Adriana LaGrange, Alberta's minister of primary and preventative health services, says she is pleased with the CPSA's update. 'This initiative will strengthen Alberta's health workforce, reduce red tape and ensure qualified individuals can work in our province,' she said in a statement. Further details on the foreign institutions approved by the CPSA can be found online.
CTV News
19-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
‘Under attack': Critics sound alarm on health care ahead of Airdrie town hall
The City of Airdrie is the largest municipality in Alberta without a hospital within its town limits. The Alberta NDP is concerned that a new, privately run facility will take away resources from the community. A town hall meeting on Thursday night in Airdrie will address growing concerns over the state of Alberta's health-care system. Hosted by the Airdrie-East New Democrats, organizers say the event is designed to give the community a platform to ask questions and hear from non-partisan health experts. One of the key issues expected to dominate the discussion is health-care privatization. Friends of Medicare, an advocacy group scheduled to speak at the event, claims Alberta's public health system is 'under severe attack from the Alberta government.' The group is particularly concerned about the province's decision to approve a privately-run urgent care centre in Airdrie. 'Rather than improving outcomes, this centre threatens to siphon front-line workers and limited resources away from our public system,' said the group in a post about the event. Friends of Medicare also says Airdrie, now the largest municipality in Alberta without a hospital, has been overlooked in health infrastructure planning. It notes that calls for a new community hospital have gone unanswered, despite the city's growing population and increasing demand for services. In a statement to CTV News, Health Minister Adriana LaGrange defended the province's actions and accused the NDP of spreading misinformation. 'Our government remains fully committed to a strong, publicly funded health-care system and is focused on delivering real, lasting improvements for all Albertans,' LaGrange said. 'Under attack': Critics sound alarm on health care ahead of Airdrie town hall The minister also cited shortcomings under the previous NDP government, including a compensation model that failed to attract doctors and longer wait times for surgeries. She then highlighted recent efforts by the current government to expand surgical capacity and recruit more physicians across the province. The town hall will take place at 6:30 p.m. at Airdrie's Town and Country Centre.
Calgary Herald
14-06-2025
- Health
- Calgary Herald
Healthy Albertans will have to pay for COVID-19 vaccine next fall
Albertans who are not immunocompromised or dependent on social programs will have to pay out-of-pocket for the COVID-19 vaccine this fall. Article content The Alberta government's policy change was meant to cut down on waste and minimize costs, it said in a statement released late Friday afternoon. Article content Article content Vaccines will only be available at public health clinics, the release added. Community pharmacies will no longer be administering the vaccine. Article content Article content The vaccine program this fall will be rolled out in four phases. Article content Article content The second phase will see those with underlying medical conditions, immunocompromised, living in congregate living accommodations and/or on social programs get access to the vaccines, free of cost. Article content 'In previous years, we've seen significant vaccine wastage. By shifting to a targeted approach and introducing pre-ordering, we aim to better align supply with demand — ensuring we remain fiscally responsible while continuing to protect those at highest risk,' Alberta's Primary and Preventative Health Minister Adriana LaGrange said in the release. Article content The third and fourth phases will make the remaining vaccines available first to healthy Albertans aged 65 and older and lastly to other residents looking to be immunized. But the vaccines will come at a cost, the release stated, although the final price has not been determined as yet. Article content Article content For the 2025-26 season, approximately 485,000 doses have been ordered to support the targeted COVID-19 immunization program. Article content More than one million COVID-19 vaccine doses were wasted last year, according to the government, amounting to 54 per cent of Alberta's order or $135 million worth of vaccine inventory. Article content This year, the province is encouraging Albertans to pre-book their appointments starting August 11 through the provincial vaccine booking system. Article content Sarah Hoffman, the Alberta NDP's health critic, called the change 'dangerous', 'callous' and 'anti-public health.' Article content 'It's cruel for the UCP government to put further financial burdens on Albertans who want to protect their health and their loved ones and not get COVID,' she stated in a statement released on Friday, responding to the change. Article content She criticized LaGrange as a 'terrible health minister who lost control of her department' and the UCP government as 'creating more chaos.' Article content
