Alberta Health Services

Alberta Health Services (AHS) is Canada’s first and largest fully integrated, provincewide health system, providing comprehensive healthcare to more than 4.5 million residents across Alberta and, at times, to neighboring provinces and territories. As the single health authority for the province, AHS oversees a vast and coordinated network of facilities and services aimed at delivering safe, accessible, and high-quality care to every Albertan.

With a workforce exceeding 113,000 direct employees—excluding Covenant Health and other contracted partners—and an additional 14,700 staff working within its wholly owned subsidiaries such as Alberta Precision Laboratories, Carewest, and CapitalCare Group, AHS stands as one of Canada’s largest employers. The organization is further supported by approximately 9,700 volunteers and more than 11,600 physicians practicing across the province, around 9,500 of whom are active members of the AHS medical staff. This collaborative network ensures that health services are delivered efficiently across all levels of care.

AHS operates 106 acute care hospitals and five stand-alone psychiatric facilities, providing a total of 8,785 acute care beds. In addition, it offers 29,754 continuing care beds and spaces, 3,306 addiction and mental health beds and spaces, and holds equity partnerships in 39 primary care networks. Its services are distributed across more than 900 facilities throughout Alberta, including hospitals, clinics, cancer centres, continuing care homes, community health sites, and mental health facilities. This extensive reach enables AHS to provide both hospital-based and community-based care to meet the diverse health needs of its population.

Education and training are also integral to AHS’s mission. The organization partners with Alberta’s universities and colleges—as well as institutions across Canada and beyond—to provide clinical education within its hospitals and community health locations. This collaboration supports the continuous development of healthcare professionals and ensures a strong pipeline of skilled practitioners.

Beyond its hospital infrastructure, Alberta Health Services maintains an expansive network of community-based programs designed to promote wellness, prevent illness, and support long-term health. Through this integrated system, AHS continues to advance its vision of providing patient-centered, sustainable healthcare that improves the quality of life for all Albertans.