Dialysis treatment now offered at Edson Healthcare Centre

EDSON – Residents living in Edson and surrounding areas now have access to hemodialysis services at the Edson Healthcare Centre, allowing local and area residents to get this life-saving service closer to home.

Previously, local renal patients needed to travel up to three times a week to Alberta Health Services (AHS) facilities in Whitecourt or Hinton, about 100 km away, to receive dialysis, a process that removes excess water and toxins from the blood.

“Patients from Edson and surrounding communities can stay close to home and their families instead of facing long hours on the road for such a vital service,” says Minister of Health Sarah Hoffman. “This new permanent dialysis clinic includes enough stations to meet current demand but it also has room to expand as needs increase. I’m proud to be part of a government that’s making life better in rural communities by protecting their healthcare needs.”

Renal patients from local and surrounding communities – from the hamlet of Wildwood to the east to the hamlet of Robb to the southwest – will be eligible to dialyze at the Edson Healthcare Centre.

The clinic opened to patients on Feb. 14.

“We are pleased to deliver on a plan that residents have been waiting for,” says AHS President and CEO Dr. Verna Yiu.

Lana Hataley, Director of Clinical Operations, AHS North Zone, says this level of service takes time and expertise to be able to provide locally, especially in a smaller, rural community.

“Having adequate space is only one component of the necessary resources to support safe care,” she says. “Thanks to the efforts of the community and healthcare centre staff, including the AHS Northern Alberta Renal Program, we are pleased to be able to offer this to our Edson and area patients. We appreciate everyone’s efforts in bringing this project to fruition.”

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.

- 30 -