“We are encouraged about the stronger role. It sounds very good,” said Ken Sauer, chair of the Palliser Triangle Health Advisory Council. “Having a Board member attend a HAC meeting is also very encouraging.”
The 12 HAC chairs will be meeting with Hughes, Board HAC committee chair John Lehners and acting president and CEO Dr. Chris Eagle. The meeting, to take place within six weeks, will include discussion and refining a proposal to include HAC community-feedback reports being discussed at Board meetings, direct Board involvement in HAC meetings, an opportunity for HAC to be part of public consultations on high priority plans, support for HAC communicating with stakeholders and faster responses to questions or concerns that are forwarded to AHS through HAC members.
Where HAC previously drew attention to local concerns via various layers of communication Sauer expects there will now be a much faster response.
“We will be able to take public concerns directly to the board now,” said Sauer.
The Board appointed 18 new HAC members to seven councils three of which are for the Palliser Triangle Health Advisory Council: Natasha Rushkowski of Medicine Hat, Robert Oliver of Oyen and Marjorie Moncrieff of Bow Island. Rushkowski could not be reached for comment on Friday afternoon.
The role of HAC is to provide feedback on what is working well in the health care system and suggest areas for improvement.
For additional information about HAC use this link:  http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/689.asp