Michelle Bellefontaine · CBC News · Posted: Feb 04, 2023 6:00 AM MST

Alberta Health Services runs five residential treatment facilities for adults and has contracts with non-profit organizations to run another 22 licensed facilities across the province. (Madeleine Cummings/CBC)
Alberta Health Services will undergo a review of all its mental health and addictions services to ensure they align with the provincial government’s push toward recovery-oriented system of care.
The new ministry of Mental Health and Addictions is seeking a third party to undertake the review of the programs AHS delivers directly or through a contractor.
For example, AHS runs five residential treatment facilities for adults and has contracts with non-profit organizations to run another 22 licensed facilities across the province.
The review will also look at the amount physicians are billing for mental health and addictions treatment.
“It is unclear to what extent the current supply of mental health and addiction services is adequate to meet Albertans’ needs at both the zone and facility/program level,” the request for proposals states.
“Assessment of the gaps (both under- and over-supply relative to demand) is necessary to ensure the allocation of resources is meeting the needs of Albertans, especially as the system shifts to recovery-oriented systems of care.”
The winning proponent will look at what kinds of services are delivered and where to figure out where there are gaps in service.
They will also “examine best practices on mental health and addiction system design, service delivery models and how mental health and addiction services could be contracted/funded, coupled with an implementation plan with recommendations to change Alberta’s mental health and addiction system.”
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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not
necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Edmonton and area Fetal Alcohol Network, its stakeholders, and/or funders.