$12B AHS budget targets wait times
Alberta Health Services approved a $12-billion budget for the 2011/12 fiscal year at a meeting in Calgary on Friday.
Emergency department wait times will be targeted with a $19-million investment, and $110 million will go toward reducing the number of patients waiting in an acute care hospital bed for a continuing care bed, AHS said in a release.
"This budget provides a solid foundation for improving access to care," said AHS board chairman Ken Hughes.
Other spending highlights included:
- $15 million to reduce wait times for patients needing radiation therapy.
- $46 million for cardiac, cataract, cancer surgeries, and hip and knee replacements.
- Up to $9 million for colorectal cancer reduction initiatives.
- Up to $37 million for home care initiatives across the province.
AHS is spending $84 million this year to recruit and train staff for Calgary's new south hospital, which is slated to open next spring.
The budget includes a $545-million increase in base funding from the province. This is the second fiscal year of a five-year commitment from the province to provide yearly six-per cent increases for three years and 4.5-per cent increases in each of the following two years, AHS said.
CEO's salary approved
The board also approved the contract terms for new AHS president and CEO Dr. Chris Eagle.
According to Eagle's five-year employment agreement, he will earn a base salary of $585,000 annually. He will also be eligible to collect "pay-at-risk" of up to 25 per cent.
"The amount of pay-at-risk is directly linked to meeting the performance expectations and all performance expectations are related to the 5-Year Health Action Plan," AHS said in a written release.