Interim Alberta Health Services boss inherits sizable challenges
The man appointed as the interim leader of the province’s health authority will face major challenges in the months ahead, not the least of which is helping to restore confidence in a beleaguered system, health advocates say.
Duncan Campbell, who took over the helm of AHS on Thursday as the new acting president and CEO, comes into the role largely as a caretaker who will be asked to clean up a number of messes left behind by the sudden resignation of Dr. Chris Eagle, they say. A restructuring of senior management, ongoing problems with an overhaul of home care, a workforce transformation project, negotiations with nurses and plans for a new centralized testing lab in Edmonton are among the big files that will now be transferred to Campbell’s desk as the province searches for Eagle’s permanent successor. But perhaps the biggest challenge will be for Campbell to help reestablish Albertans’ faith that the health system is being led effectively — a task that will be particularly tough consider- ing the temporary nature of his position, said Jane Sustrik, second vice-president of the United Nurses of Alberta.
“The biggest thing they need to address is stability, but that will only be proven by the long-term work of people in leadership positions,” Sustrik said. “The health-care system is going through many, many changes, so his plate is certainly full.”
Campbell has been with AHS for only six months, hired earlier this year as the chief financial officer to replace Allaudin Merali, who departed the job in 2012 amid controversy over his past expenses. A chartered accountant by trade, he previously served in the same role with the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority and even received a CFO of the year award in 2011 in the “transformation” category from the publication Business in Vancouver.
Clay Adams, vice-president of communications and public affairs for the Vancouver health authority, said Campbell is well suited to take on the challenges in Alberta.
He said Campbell is particularly well known for bringing a creative approach to problem- solving and finding ways to operate more efficiently. As an example, he introduced a “payfor-performance” program aimed at getting departments to do a better job on access and patient outcomes.
“He’s not a guy who’s really big on cutting services; it’s more about doing things better with what you have got,” Adams said.
Some health advocates are wary about how an accountant will approach Alberta’s challenges, as opposed to a health professional. “It’s a great loss to have a physician of (Eagle’s) skill set leaving management and it’s a difficult position to fill,” said Dr. Steven Patterson, president of Calgary and Area Medical Staff Society.
“It can be very difficult to understand your workers unless your feet have been on the floor with them,” added Sustrik. But Adams dismissed such concerns, saying Campbell always made patient care his focus during his stint in Vancouver. “We believe Mr. Campbell is well positioned to take over the helm of AHS and will help maintain our focus on key priorities,” AHS administrator John Cowell said Thursday.