Province merges health regions, health agencies into one super board

This is from the Edmonton Sun.
There seem to be periods when centralisation is the rage in health care reform and then decentralisation after too much centralisation or decentralisation is found not to be economically or politically workable. No doubt there are reports somewhere where some "experts" recommend this solution.
Having just one super board seems to verge on the ludicrous. Will the Conservatives call it the Central Commitee for Health Care! Having a number of boards based on regional needs and demography makes sense and allows for some genuine local input and control. The Super Board will put control into the hands of health care experts and bureaucrats. Local letting off steam will be the function of advisory boards. Democracy at work in Alberta.

May 15, 2008
Province merges health regions, health agencies into one super board
By The Canadian Press
(The Alberta government says it is merging nine regional health boards and three agencies into one body that reports directly to the health minister.
The new Alberta Health Services Board will also take over the Alberta Cancer Board, the Alberta Mental Health Board and the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission.
Health Minister Ron Liepert is appointing a chairman and six members to a transitional board, with a larger board and CEO to be announced later.
The transition period will allow the existing health authorities time to settle contracts and deal with union issues.
The new health board will also appoint community health councils to provide advice on health issues and local needs.
Premier Ed Stelmach says the new approach will make public health care more effective and efficient.
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