EDMONTON — The Alberta government has announced a plan to better co-ordinate resources and treatment for multiple sclerosis patients.
Health Minister Fred Horne says Alberta has one of the highest rates of MS in the world. He says they have a lot of resources already but the plan was to look at how well those resources are co-ordinated.
The aim is to provide a model for better use of health professionals and resources, and stronger co-operation between groups.
Judy Gordon of the Society’s Government Relations Committee says it’s like having a GPS where patients can find their way through the various ministries for the services they need.
Horne says it will also ensure that there’s a more consistent level of service across the province.
Additional funds are not being allocated to the strategy. Horne says it will require using current resources in a more efficient manner.
“Finding those services and connecting with them and getting all the people on your team — for someone who’s living with MS — to work together, should not be the responsibility of the patient or their family to have to bear. It’s very much something we can do by simply co-ordinating resources better.”