“Our government is committed to providing Albertans timely access to the health care they need,” said Premier Alison Redford, during her visit this afternoon in Lethbridge. “Through our Health Capital Plan, this major redevelopment project at the Chinook Regional Hospital helps to fulfill this commitment by meeting the health priorities of local residents. Better access to health care means an improved quality of life for each Albertan.”
The new budget for the project is $127.8 million, up from the original $112.7 million, an increase of 13.4 per cent. The extra funding will come from the existing provincial budget.
“Finalizing the redevelopment plans for the Chinook Regional Hospital is exciting news for Lethbridge and area residents,” said Fred Horne, minister of health. “Details on the services that should be provided were developed after extensive consultation with area health professionals. The hospital expansion will provide room for the addition of beds as Lethbridge grows.”
Finalized details include project scope, construction schedule and an enhanced budget. The 22,500 square-metre redevelopment project will now include:
- a 19,000 square-metre, five-storey wing for services including day surgery, a renal program (roughed-in space for future development), cardio-respiratory services, maternal newborn services including labour and delivery suites and neonatal intensive care, and a pre-operative assessment clinic
- roughed-in space for 64 inpatient beds to accommodate future expansion
- an expanded emergency department
- ambulatory (outpatient) care
- an expanded day procedures department.
Construction of a separate $30-million parkade and heliport has been completed.
“I am pleased that work continues on this expanded project,” said Wayne Drysdale, minister of infrastructure. “With planning finalized, I am confident we will complete construction on time.”
The redeveloped hospital will open to the public in the summer of 2015. As more detailed work is undertaken to plan the clinical commissioning of the facility, opening dates may be adjusted to ensure the safety of staff and patients.
“Albertans have told us they want a patient-focused, quality health system that provides them and their families with access to the programs and services they need,” said Stephen Lockwood, Alberta Health Services board chair. “This expansion will help AHS deliver quality care for residents of Lethbridge and southern Alberta.”