AHS listening to Airdrie residents

Re: Health foundation committed to finding grassroots solutions, Feb. 8

Dear Editor,

Alberta Health Services (AHS) Calgary Zone leaders recently had the opportunity to hear directly from some Airdrie citizens who are advocating for improved health-care services in their community.

Listening to the issues raised, I was struck by the commitment to work collaboratively to find innovative approaches to improving health-care services at the community level.

Many of the goals the community is working to achieve are being pursued by AHS. As part of that effort, AHS leaders have been asked to question how decisions being made improve access to care and health system efficiency and productivity.

In Airdrie, health-care delivery has grown with the community over the years. In 1998, the Airdrie Health Care Centre opened, providing public health, home care, lab services and other community-based health-care services.

When residents requested after-hours care, AHS responded, and in 2007 the hours of the centre were extended until 9 p.m.

As Airdrie continued to grow, AHS worked hard to meet the health-care needs of the community and in 2009, the Airdrie Urgent Care Centre opened. Just last year, AHS opened a temporary EMS station on the west side of the city. With EMS operating from two locations, emergency response times have significantly improved.

AHS also provides many community-based health programs in Airdrie to help people manage health concerns, such as chronic disease management and healthy living options.

Moving forward, AHS’ commitment is to spend wisely, reduce bureaucracy and inefficiencies, and produce the best health-care results possible for every Albertan, no matter where they may live in the province.

Julie Kerr, Vice president, Community, Rural and Mental Health, Alberta Health Services