Alberta axes health execs.

While this re-organisation seems to involve some savings because there will be fewer executives there will be costs asssociated with terminating the executives and loss of local control with the excessive centralisation. The chair says this is all about patients. How can it be when what is being done is to remove the system even more from the control of patients and local people and centralise it. Apparently Albertans are against big government but for big health care centralising delivery in one big centralised system. No doubt this is the brainchild of a few "experts" who have the ear of the government. In a few years when these experts lose influence a new group will tout decentralisation and the system will change again. This provides a source of new jobs for experts. That is what the systems are all about.

Province axes health execs
Last Updated: Tuesday, July 8, 2008 2:26 PM MT
CBC News
Twelve full-time CEO positions were eliminated Tuesday as the province's health superboard moved ahead with centralizing health-care delivery.Jack Davis, CEO of the Calgary Health Region seen here in 2006, is not continuing under the reorganized Alberta health superboard. (CBC)
Three of the executives will move to different positions while the other nine will not continue working within the Alberta Health Services Board, a centralized body created in May to replace the nine regions, the Cancer Board, the Mental Health Board and the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission.
"I emphasize this is all about the patients," board chair Ken Hughes said at a news conference in Calgary. "Obviously this is not an easy decision and it's not easy for the individuals and we respect that and thank them for their contribution to health care in Alberta."
Among those not retained by the new board is Jack Davis, the high-profile president and CEO of the Calgary Health Region who earned $1.2 million in salary and benefits in 2007.
Hughes suggested, however, that it was possible for Sheila Weatherill, who is leaving her $900,000-a-year job as head of the Capital Health Region, to pick up a future position where she can "contribute to public policy and health care in Alberta in the future."
New positions under Alberta Health Services restructuring
Paddy Meade, executive operating officer of continuum of care division.
Dr. Chris Eagle, chief operating officer, urban.
Pam Whitnack, chief operating officer, rural.
Aslam Bhatti, interim chief operating officer, planning and programs.
Jim Saunders, interim chief operating officer, corporate services.
Kay Best, interim chief financial officer, finance.
The terminated senior executives are expected to take home hefty severance packages in light of their salaries, but Hughes said the payments have not been finalized.