Abatement underway at Dr. Cooke Extended Care Centre

LLOYDMINSTER — Hazardous materials from the south wing of the Dr. Cooke Extended Care Centre are now being removed, with crews beginning to haul materials away from the site for disposal.

Stringent safety procedures are in place to guide this work, which is anticipated to be completed next month. There is no risk to the health of residents or staff in other areas of the facility as this work is carried out.

In late 2018, Alberta Infrastructure hired a contractor to begin the abatement work as the first step towards the planned demolition later this year of the old wing at the Dr. Cooke Extended Care Centre.

Once the materials are removed, the project will be able to proceed with demolition and site restoration. Dates for this work will be shared with the community when they are determined.

After discussions with the community in June 2017 about renovation and refurbishing costs, there was a better understanding that costs to bring the space up to current provincial standards for continuing care were prohibitive to reutilizing the space. The feedback received by Alberta Health Services (AHS) through these discussions has helped guide decisions on how AHS continues to plan for ensuring the continuing care needs of the community are met now and into the future.

In 2017, 44 new supportive living spaces opened in Lloydminster at Pioneer Centre, and in 2015, 60 new continuing care spaces were opened, replacing 55 spaces from the Dr. Cooke Extended Care Centre. The addition of these spaces is helping provide continuing care closer to home for residents, while meeting the demand for such care.

In addition to the Home First Quick response program, which assists seniors with complex needs with care and support in their own home, AHS has further enhanced home care in the community by adding four new full-time healthcare aide positions and one full-time licensed practical nurse position, as part of a continuing commitment to enhance continuing care resources in the community.

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.