Alberta Health Minister Jason Copping introduces proposed Continuing Care Act March 28, 2022 (Photo: Alberta Government)

By Cathy Gibson (LNN staff)

Alberta proposes new Continuing Care Act

Mar 28, 2022 | 5:39 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB — The Alberta government is proposing changes to the way continuing care operates in the province.

The current continuing care system falls under multiple acts and regulations, with some policies dating back to 1985.

If Bill 11 is passed, the new Continuing Care Act will establish one overarching piece of legislation that will cover the entire continuing care system in the province.

Alberta Minister of Health, Jason Copping, says the new Act will improve the quality of life for those in continuing care and streamline services across the province.

“It will strengthen accountability and transparency, and better coordinate and align care and services across the whole system.”

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The province says the proposed legislation is the result of a comprehensive review of Alberta’s facility-based continuing care system, as well as lessons learned throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The government says the pandemic revealed gaps in the system and inconsistencies in the current legislation.

As a result, the province is proposing the following recommendations for the Continuing Care Act:

• Replace multiple acts with one streamlined piece of legislation for continuing care
• Improve transparency and accountability regarding how the continuing care system is governed
• Enable a person-focused, flexible, and innovative system of care
• Establish a consistent and aligned approach toward legislated requirements and services
• Address gaps in the current legislation to provide greater authority to effectively monitor and enforce standards and compliance

The new Act would establish a revised system of standards and regulations, a consistent approach toward the inspection of continuing care facilities, and the authority to issue penalties if necessary.

The government recently announced almost $3.7 billion toward operating the continuing care system in its 2022 Budget.

Regarding the new legislation, Health Minister Copping says, “This is in addition to our historic investment of over $3.7 billion for continuing care and 1,515 new spaces opening this year.”

Publicly funded continuing care services currently include short-term or long-term home care, palliative and end-of-life care, and facility-based care, which includes designated supportive living and on-site long-term care.

If Bill 11 is passed, the new Continuing Care Act could be implemented by spring 2023.

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