New High Prairie Health Complex to open next month

HIGH PRAIRIE - The new High Prairie Health Complex will open to the public on the week of April 10, 2017.

“This bright, modern, state-of-the-art facility provides improved health care to residents, patients and families. It brings a range of services under one roof, including a new CT scanner and nearly double the number of continuing care beds,” says Sarah Hoffman, Minister of Health. “I was pleased to tour the project last spring and I’m looking forward to being back in High Prairie for a grand opening celebration in the coming weeks.”

Funding for the $228.3 million facility was provided through the Government of Alberta’s capital projects.

“We are excited that opening day is coming soon,” says Dr. Verna Yiu, President and CEO of Alberta Health Services (AHS). “This is a beautiful, modern and high tech facility that the community can be very proud of.”

The new hospital is larger, more spacious, more patient-friendly, and will allow physicians and healthcare staff to provide enhanced care to the residents of High Prairie and surrounding area.

The new Health Complex will include a state-of-the-art Emergency Department, capacity for 30 acute care beds, and 67 continuing care beds - an addition of 30 continuing care beds in the community.

The facility will open in phases, with current programs and services moving to the Health Complex this month.

When fully operational, the facility and the teams working there will offer Surgical Services, Inter-professional Primary and Obstetrical Care, Allied Health, Indigenous Health, Addiction and Mental Health, Home Care, Diagnostic Imaging, Laboratory and Inpatient Pharmacy services, and a full range of Public Health services.

The phased transition from the old hospital and continuing care centre will begin on April 2, however residents will likely not see any significant changes until April 4, when the first continuing care residents and some community programs will move to the new Health Complex.

AHS will work closely with residents, patients and loved ones to ensure they have the information they need before their transition to the new facility begins. It is anticipated that the majority of current healthcare services at the new Health Complex will be fully open by the end of April.

On April 10, at 4 p.m., patients will begin to be treated at the new Health Complex’s Emergency Department. The Emergency Department at the old facility will close that same day, once patients have been safely transferred.

On April 11, all hospital inpatients will be transferred from the old facility to the new Health Complex, and the acute care units at the old hospital will be closed.

AHS asks loved ones to refrain from visiting patients on that day to streamline the transfer and ensure patient safety. Visitors and family will be welcome to visit and see the new facility, once their loved ones are moved in and comfortable.

The new health complex will replace the existing health complex and long term care facility (J.B. Wood Nursing Home). Continuing Care staffing levels are expected to increase by about 16 FTE. Registered Nurses numbers are expected to remain the same, however Health Care Aide and Licensed Practical Nurse numbers will increase to help care for additional supportive living clients.

Public tours of the new facility will be offered in the coming weeks, and a grand opening will be held at a date to be announced. Details will be shared once confirmed.

To find out more about the new High Prairie Health Complex, visit: ahs.ca/hp.

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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