Alberta’s government is building capacity in the publicly funded health care system to support thousands more surgeries and reduce wait times across the province.
Albertans want access to the highest quality of care where and when they need it. Having to get surgery can be a stressful time in a person’s life and waiting for it only adds to that stress and anxiety. Waiting longer than is medically recommended is something that Alberta’s government cannot accept.
Budget 2023 will boost surgery capacity over three years. By providing an $80-million increase to add 20,000 more surgeries in 2023-24, thousands more Albertans will get the surgeries they need sooner. The record funding for Alberta Health Services (AHS) will support their goal of performing 310,000 surgeries over the next 12 months.
“We are making the investments and changes in our health care system that Albertans need. The ability for Albertans to get the surgeries they need, more quickly and closer to home, is so important. I’m proud of the work that we’re doing in health care, and I’m so pleased with the good results that we’re seeing.”
Danielle Smith, Premier
The number of patients waiting longer for surgery than clinically recommended has dropped by 18 per cent since November 2022. As of March 27, 32,200 Albertans are waiting for surgery outside the clinically recommended time, down from 39,200 in November.
Alberta’s highly skilled surgeons are completing approximately 6,000 surgeries every week. When compared with 2019, 15 per cent more surgeries are being done now.
“Budget 2023 moves us one step closer to fulfilling our promise to Albertans. By providing thousands more publicly funded surgeries, patients can have better care throughout the province, and access the surgical care they need within the clinically recommended wait time.”
Jason Copping, Minister of Health
Alberta has the best front-line health care workers in the world, and Alberta’s government’s budget is putting the right supports in place to ensure Albertans get the care they need when and where they need it.
A new investment of $120 million over the next three years will expand and modernize operating rooms across the province, including in rural areas. This new funding will support operating room projects in Brooks, Calgary, Camrose, Crowsnest Pass, Edmonton, Fort Saskatchewan, Grande Prairie, Innisfail, Olds, Pincher Creek, Ponoka, Red Deer, St. Albert, Stettler and Taber.
“Expanding operating rooms across Alberta is a great step forward in creating additional surgery spaces, reducing surgery wait times and creating jobs for Albertans. As the minister in charge of the construction process for these projects, I am thrilled that more construction and related jobs will be created in the lead up to helping our health care system grow and thrive.”
Nathan Neudorf, Minister of Infrastructure
“This additional funding will directly support the work of our teams to implement the Alberta Surgical Initiative. AHS is laser-focused on improving access to surgeries and to reducing wait times, particularly for those Albertans waiting outside of clinically recommended timeframes. We appreciate the investment and know that it will help improve health outcomes for Albertans.”
Dr. John Cowell, official administrator, Alberta Health Services
Budget 2023 secures Alberta’s future by transforming the health care system to meet people’s needs, supporting Albertans with the high cost of living, keeping our communities safe and driving the economy with more jobs, quality education and continued diversification.
Quick facts
- Health’s 2023-24 Surgical Initiative Capital Program operating budget is $237 million – a $120-million increase from 2022-23.
- Expansion projects will enlarge existing operating rooms by modifying the space around the operating room, such as the post anesthesia care unit, surgical scrub space, recovery space, surgical inpatient units, day surgery space, and soiled and sterile storage.
- Budget 2023 boosts funding for additional surgeries over three years. AHS will spend $312 million to support a projected 310,000 surgeries in 2023-24, $316 million on surgeries in 2024-25 and $324 million in 2025-26.
- An additional $105 million over three years has been set aside for medical device reprocessing upgrades, including $96 million in new funding that will provide upgrades in Calgary, Edmonton, Fort McMurray, St. Albert and Westlock.
Related information
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Red Deer-North constituents with questions, concerns or comments can reach out to the local constituency office. They can do so via the form on the contact page or by phoning (403) 342–2263.