Dialysis treatment now offered at Hinton Healthcare Centre

HINTON – Residents living in Hinton and surrounding areas now have improved access to hemodialysis services, with the opening of a new clinic at the Hinton Healthcare Centre, allowing patients to get this life-saving treatment closer to home.

Previously, local renal patients received dialysis treatment on the Northern Alberta Renal Program’s mobile dialysis bus, which would visit the community three times per week.

“I’m proud to be part of a government that listens and responds to the needs of communities. This new permanent dialysis clinic means this lifesaving treatment can be provided to more patients in a comfortable, reliable setting,” says Health Minister Sarah Hoffman. “This project is an example of the work we’re doing to make life better for families in Hinton and surrounding areas.”

The new clinic opened to patients on June 4.

“Having a permanent space for dialysis means our patients have reliable access to hemodialysis services. We know this is important to the community and are excited to be able to provide this care in Hinton,” says Dr. Verna Yiu, president and CEO, Alberta Health Services.

The new treatment space will help improve the patient experience and will be large enough to allow patients to bring family and friends while they undergo the hours-long procedures.

“The bus made dialysis treatment accessible for us and I am so grateful for that, but being able to go into the hospital for treatment makes all the difference. It is much more convenient and reliable,” says Ann Viau, a current dialysis patient in Hinton.

With three stations at the clinic, patient capacity will be increased from five per day to six per day, three days per week, with the potential for expansion to six days per week in the future, if necessary.

AHS will invite patients, families and community members to attend a grand opening celebration of the clinic, which is scheduled for later this summer.

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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