The College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CARNA) responded to the release of the report from the Minister's Advisory Committee on Health. Mary-Anne Robinson, executive director of CARNA, was a member of the committee.
"I have no hesitation in supporting the committee's report and believe that the six principles recommended in the report would create a sound basis for development of an Alberta Health Act," says Robinson. "The principles also reflect values of registered nursing such as supporting a publicly funded health system, using evidence-based decision-making and involving citizens and health care providers in decisions affecting their health system."
According to Robinson, there was open and robust dialogue in committee meetings and the committee benefited from the capable facilitation of co-chairs MLA Fred Horne and Deborah Prowse. The presentations and submissions from stakeholders and individuals offered a wide range of perspectives and contributed significantly to the committee's recommendations.
"I am hopeful that government will incorporate all of the committee's recommendations when developing a new Alberta Health Act and will be very interested in seeing the new legislative framework take shape," says Robinson.