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The challenges of adjusting to government cutbacks and rethinking the way we plan and operate the health system is not a one-time phenomenon. Many factors in our social, demographic and economic environment will continue. They will influence our plans and our decisions in the years to come. The number of senior citizens in our population is increasing by 10 per cent a year and the number of persons actively participating in the active workforce will continue to decline in relation to the whole population. We cannot assume that government will be able to provide increases each year to keep pace with population growth and price escalation. We must work hard and find creative solutions to what has been and what should continue to be one of the best health systems in the world.

The Calgary Regional Health Authority cannot do it alone. The people of this region will be a big part of the solution. A well-informed public will use services appropriately for the maximum health benefit. But, more importantly, they will take direct responsibility for their own health. They will ask the questions and make the choices that will make them less dependent on the system for their well-being. Together we will build an affordable, sustainable health system for the future-regardless of the level of financial support that governments are able or willing to provide.

We acknowledge that the past two years have been extremely trying, especially for the physicians and health care workers who have had to adjust to a system under extreme change. For Calgary and other RHA’s the pace of change has been rapid. Coping with reduced resources in the time frame we had to work with, has pressured the entire system.

But our goal continues to be a high quality health system accessible to all that will take us into the next century. The commitment of our staff, management, board and the medical community to that goal remains steadfast.

— The Board and Management, Calgary Regional Health Authority