Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre MLA Jason Nixon will be taking on some extra responsibilities as the province continues to overhaul the health care system.

Alberta’s government announced Oct. 16 it is moving responsibility for long-term care and supportive living programs away from the health ministry and over to seniors.

“As the new sector minister for continuing care, I am committed to ensuring seniors, people with disabilities, people facing homelessness and other vulnerable Albertans are supported with comprehensive, wraparound services that meet both their medical and non-medical needs,” said Nixon.

Eventually, Alberta Health Services will be broken up into four new agencies, including the afFormentioned one responsible for continuing care.

Among proposed changes, Nixon said in a statement the the government will be looking to make the system easier to access with tools that include a new online platform to connect Albertans to continuing care supports and enable people to request the services they need directly.

Health Minister Adriana LaGrange says her ministry will have close involvement during the transition.

“I will ensure Alberta Health works alongside the Ministry of Seniors, Community and Social Services as we continue to deliver these critical services and build towards the standing up of the new continuing care agency,” said LaGrange. “Alberta Health will continue to assist in determining how services will be delivered in the future.”

Nixon, who currently serves as Seniors and Social Services Minister, says details about the new agency are still being finalized, and there won’t be any immediate changes to services because of the ministry swap.

The minister says the change will allow his ministry to use its experience facilitating social services to improve patient outcomes regarding access to long-term care.

–with files from The Canadian Press