August 24, 2015
BOW ISLAND — The Bow Island Heath Centre has a new $400,000 nurse call system, which enables patients to alert a nurse or other health care staff members if they need assistance.
“This investment is an important part of helping our patients stay well,” says Sean Chilton, Chief Zone Officer for the South Zone of Alberta Health Services (AHS). “It is also vital we keep our health care infrastructure up to date.”
Funding for this project came from the Government of Alberta’s Infrastructure Maintenance Program (IMP). In recent years, additional IMP funding has been invested in other projects at the Bow Island Health Centre, including the replacement of air conditioning, chiller and cooling units.
“No matter where you live in the province, it’s important that your health care needs can be met as close to home as possible,” says Sarah Hoffman, Minister of Health. “This project helps make that a reality, and is part of our commitment to manage and improve health infrastructure and capital across Alberta.”
In addition to the IMP-funded projects, there have been several other renovations at the centre, including a $6.4-million expansion and renovation. This work included a new main entrance, a new patient dropoff and waiting area, and an expanded emergency department, as well as construction of a covered ambulance bay. Also included was additional space for a casting/orthopedic room, a gynecological room, lab collection and offices. The central heating plant and fire alarm systems were also upgraded.
AHS, in partnership with Alberta Infrastructure and Alberta Health, is building and renewing facilities across the province to provide accessible, sustainable, quality health care to all Albertans. AHS currently has about 270 maintenance projects underway throughout the province.
AHS submits to Alberta Health and Alberta Infrastructure an annual list of IMP priority renovation, repair or upgrade projects for the next three years to ensure the projects meet program criteria. Projects are ranked in priority from those that must be done immediately to ensure safety and health of patients and staff, to non-urgent projects that need to be addressed over time.
Taking into account the diverse needs of Albertans, AHS is strategically investing in the health system to support patients and communities to stay healthy and manage illness effectively.
AHS maintains more than 450 facilities throughout the province, including hospitals, clinics, continuing care facilities, mental health facilities and community health sites.
Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.
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