Alberta is the first province in Canada to negotiate a fundamental change in how physicians, health regions and government work together to improve patient care.

The eight-year agreement signed by government, the Alberta Medical Association and regional health authorities, provides $100 million over three years to improve access to primary care. A Local Primary Care Initiative (LPCI) is a formal arrangement between a group of physicians and their regional health authority (RHA). As equal partners, the physicians and RHA commit to providing a required list of primary care services to a defined population of patients in the region.

Each initiative’s business plan must explain how the partners will use various health professionals to provide specific primary health care services. Business plans must also demonstrate how LPCIs will link to health services provided by specialists. Once the plan is approved, funding is allocated. Up to 12 Local Primary Care Initiatives are expected to be in operation in 2005.

For further information:
Phone: 1-866-714-5724 or
E-mail: info@primarycareinitiative.ab.ca
Website: http://www.primarycareinitiative.ab.ca/

Larger view.

Strategic policy direction

The Primary Care Initiative Committee, with representatives from government, regional health authorities and physicians, sets the vision and policy direction for local primary care initiatives (LPCIs). The committee will review business plans and recommend approval for LPCIs later this year. LPCIs will be supported by other provincial strategies, such as the Alberta Diabetes Strategy.

Support to manage change

A $15 million fund has been established to support physicians, regional health authorities and other providers in making the transition to new ways to deliver primary health care services. The fund helps to pay for technology and communication upgrades and other changes in business practices.

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February 01, 2006