By Dean Bennett The Canadian Press

Seven years after centralizing health care, Alberta decentralizes system.

EDMONTON Seven years after Alberta collapsed its health regions and centralized care in an attempt to save money and improve outcomes, it is moving back in the other direction.

Premier Jim Prentice said Wednesday that decentralization of health care is the way to go, despite earlier decisions by previous Progressive Conservative governments.

Im not going to defend what happened in the past. I wasnt the premier at the time, Prentice told reporters.

The pendulum is coming back in terms of local input into decision-making to protect the interests of people who live across the province.

The announcement followed the release of a government report into reforming rural care. Prentice said the government heard a lot from residents who have felt disenfranchised by the way the system has been operating.

(View the full report below).

Health Minister Stephen Mandel said the province will set up eight to 10 new health districts by July 1. Each will be responsible for meeting performance targets and delivering health services.

Each district will receive advice from a local advisory council.

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Back to the past: Alberta returns to decentralized health care