Strengthening primary health care across Alberta

Press Release

Nov 05, 2024

Alberta’s government is committed to advancing initiatives that will further strengthen primary health care. As part of this work, the government is actively working to increase access to primary care for all Albertans by implementing recommendations from the Modernizing Alberta’s Primary Health Care System (MAPS), a crucial step in that direction.

The final MAPS report highlighted the need to improve access to team-based care. These new grants will specifically enhance access to such care in rural areas, attract more health care providers to these regions and expand integrated support services for vulnerable Albertans.

“These grants are another way we are strengthening primary health care across the province so more Albertans will have timely access to the care they need.”

Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Health

Expanding community health supports

To provide more integrated care, Alberta’s government is investing $30 million over two years to expand services at four community health centres: The Alex Community Health Centre, CUPS Calgary Society, the Jasper Place Wellness Centre, and Radius Community Health & Healing.

These funds will support a wide range of expanded services, including primary health care for Indigenous and marginalized groups, mental health services, a walk-in clinic, outreach services and team-based care. The centres will also expand support services such as housing navigation, recovery support and food access programs.

“This funding connects primary care providers and multidisciplinary teams to vulnerable Calgarians, allowing The Alex to significantly scale up wraparound services and deliver accessible, team-based care that improves health outcomes for at-risk individuals.”

Joy Bowen-Eyre, chief executive officer, The Alex Community Health Centre

“Thank you to the Government of Alberta for investing in the community health centre model. This grant will enable CUPS to expand our services, ensuring vulnerable and marginalized Albertans have access to primary care that is integrated, collaborative and holistic.”

Elaine Wilson, chief operating officer, CUPS Calgary Society

“With this grant, JPWC’s community health centre is reopening to offer West Edmonton low-barrier, integrated health care and social supports, prioritizing community-led, team-based care to enhance equitable health outcomes.”

Taylor Soroka, vice-president strategy, Jasper Place Wellness Centre

“Through this grant, Radius will expand its integrated health and social programs to further our goals of improving the quality of life and well-being of underserved Edmontonians.”

Tricia Smith, executive director, Radius Community Health & Healing

Supporting rural health care initiatives

Building on the recently announced Rural Health Action Plan to improve rural health care, $12 million is being invested over two years into a Rural Team Recruitment Grant and a Municipality Supported Clinics Grant to improve team-based primary health care.

The Rural Team Recruitment Grant and the Municipality Supported Clinics Grant will each provide $6 million over two years.

The Rural Team Recruitment Grant will support community organizations and clinics in hiring additional non-physician team members to increase capacity and improve access within their clinics. In addition, the Municipality Supported Clinics Grant will assist rural municipalities or regions in enhancing team-based care, allowing them to take over ownership or support the operations of existing primary care clinics within their communities.

“These grants are wonderful news for rural Alberta. They will support municipalities so they can improve primary care for their residents and will draw more primary care providers to rural communities across the province.”

Martin Long, parliamentary secretary for rural health

“Remuneration, respect, retention and recruitment of rural generalists will ensure the health of all Albertans. This government is recognizing that rural health care is unique, requiring solutions that support being cared for within a patient medical home servicing your rural or remote community.”

Dr. Rithesh Ram, president, section of rural medicine, Alberta Medical Association

Quick facts

  • Funding is through the Canada-Alberta agreement to improve health care, including in rural and remote areas, for underserved Albertans and for expanded team-based care.
  • Over the next two years, funding will be allocated to four community health centres as follows:
    • The Alex in Calgary – $11.6 million
    • CUPS Calgary Society – $6.6 million
    • Radius Community Health & Healing in Edmonton – $7 million
    • Jasper Place Wellness Centre in Edmonton – $4.8 million
  • Rural Team Recruitment Grant criteria includes increasing clinic capacity, salary cost-sharing, being an eligible rural and remote community, sustainability planning, evaluation participation and regular reporting.
  • Eligibility for the Municipality Supported Clinics Grant includes having established infrastructure, a defined need for team-based models of care, cost-sharing, new investment in the clinic, being an eligible rural and remote community, sustainability planning and evaluation participation.
  • Expressions of interest for the rural primary health care grants are being accepted until Nov. 29. Additional intakes may be considered depending on the number of applications and grants awarded.

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