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The report reinforced many of the concerns critics have levelled at the primary health system in recent years, including a lack of government oversight and direction that has allowed PCNs to operate without much accountability.

Health Minister Sarah Hoffman placed the blame for that largely on the former Progressive Conservative government that created the PCN model, but said her administration will fix the issues with tighter controls and more support.

She said that while some networks have used their funds to provide innovative and high quality care, others have not been as responsible.

“We are making it clear there is a different government in charge now and that we will be providing that level of oversight taxpayers expect us to,” she said. “We are going to be making sure you are not going to be expensing alcohol; you are not going to be buying Christmas presents.”

Wildrose MLA and health critic Drew Barnes said the government, rather than the networks, should accept fault for the misuse of funds. He said he hopes the ministry doesn’t use the review as an excuse to blow up the health-care model, which he believes is worth keeping.

Since being created in 2005, the networks have become the province’s dominate method for delivering primary care. About 80 per cent of Albertans are enrolled in one of the province’s 42 networks.

In basic terms, PCNs are groupings of privately owned doctors’ offices that work together to care for patients.