Health Minister Tyler Shandro (photo courtesy of the Alberta Government)

By David Opinko

HEALTH STATUTES AMENDMENT ACT

UCP proposes changes to Alberta health legislation

Nov 6, 2020 | 8:06 AM

EDMONTON, AB – The Government of Alberta has introduced the Health Statutes Amendment Act into the legislature.

In a media release from the province, they state that these amendments would improve governance and accountability while ensuring the health system and health professions are meeting Albertans’ needs.

“As we move forward with modernizing Alberta’s health system, it’s important for health legislation to stay current and support the priorities of Albertans. Finding efficiencies, enhancing patient safety, and improving patient outcomes remain our top priorities,” says Health Minister Tyler Shandro.

Some of the changes in the proposed legislation include:

Health Professions Act:

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• Enable regulation of health care aides as a separate profession within the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta
• Clarify the roles of regulatory colleges
• Establish a centralized registry to help Albertans find health professionals
• Reduce red tape by:
  • Moving restricted activities from the Government Organization Act to the Health Professions Act
  • Improve colleges’ ability to update continuing competence programs

Health Information Act:

• Clarify the role of the department in the management and operation of the Alberta Electronic Health Record (EHR)
• Enable Alberta Health, Alberta Health Services, and other authorized bodies to use Alberta EHR information for a broader set of purposes where there is need
• Facilitate access to the Alberta EHR by medical examiners within the Office of the Chief Medical Examiners and out-of-province health service providers
• Improve routine information exchange across the Ministry of Health
• Apply tougher penalties for inappropriate access to a person’s health information
• Update the Health Information Act, including:
  • Update outdated terminology
  • Enable nearest living relatives to access deceased family members’ health information for processing insurance claims
  • Clarifying requirements to obtain consent to collect health information via recording devices

Health Facilities Act:

• Move applicable parts of the Hospitals Act into the Health Facilities Act. By doing this, the government hopes to reduce red tape by repealing the Hospitals Act
• Ensure the Health Facilities Act reflects a more modern system while setting out expectations about how hospitals must operate

ABC Benefits Corporation Act:

• Change the name of the act to the Alberta Blue Cross Act to more clearly communicate that this act applies to the Alberta Blue Cross