Health Minister assures Alberta's nurses that they are valued partners

Speaking at UNA's annual general meeting today, Health Minister Fred Horne assured Alberta's nurses that they are valued partners and that their union's role is going to increase significantly in the health care system.

Addressing the AGM delegates, Horne spoke about the government's introduction of Family Care Clinics and the role they will play in primary health care.

"We do not see this as a government driven cookie cutter approach. We see this as a grassroots community driven process," he said.

Horne spoke about wanting to improve the health care system while signalling that the government is not interested in reorganization that would provoke instability in the health care system.

"I am not going to reorganize or disrupt what is happening in the health care but I will engage you finding headway on how to improve the system," Horne said.

When asked about the federal government's refusal to negotiate a new Canada Health Accord, Horne responded cautiously. Because of the Harper government's disengagement in health care, he said that he has focused on working with other provincial health ministers through the Health Council of Canada.