'We made a mistake,' Horne says on 1st-available bed policy

Alberta's Health Minister Fred Horne conceded in an interview with CBC Radio One on Wednesday that the first-available bed policy was a mistake.

• READ:End of Alberta policy separating seniors from family lauded

The policy,which was meant to help free up acute-care spaces, sparked fierce backlash from opposition critics and many members of the public.

It has since been cancelled and the government says itis now focused on moving forward and learning from its mistakes, the minister said in an interview with the Calgary Eyeopener.

"There's nothing wrong with saying we made a mistake in a particular area," said Horne. "That's how you build good health-care systems."

• Click the "Listen"button aboveto hearwhat elseHorne has to say on the policy reversal.

The minister also discussed the impacts of home-care provider cuts and the decision to review several of therecent policies of Alberta Health Services.