February 14, 2020
(From left to right) Town of Stettler Mayor Sean Nolls; Stettler Health Services Foundation member Tom Campbell; Diane Palmer, site manager with Alberta Health Services; Drumheller-Stettler MLA Nate Horner; County of Stettler Reeve Larry Clarke
For media inquiries, contact:
Tracy Kennedy
AHS Communications
403-341-8625
tracy.kennedy2@ahs.ca
STETTLER – Parents will benefit from two new labour and delivery suites built as part of a major renovation project at the Stettler Hospital and Care Centre.
The suites, which opened last week, enable mothers to stay in the same space for labour, delivery and postpartum care for the duration of their stay, with more privacy and comfort.
“I’m very pleased moms around Stettler will be able to access quality maternal care in these new suites in their community,” says Tyler Shandro, Minister of Health. “This is great news for growing families. Our government remains committed to supporting projects like this that make patients the priority.”
“I’m thrilled to see the completion of two new labour and delivery suites at the Stettler Hospital,” adds Nate Horner, MLA for Drumheller-Stettler. “This is a great investment in our community that will allow mothers in and around Stettler to receive more high-quality and timely maternity care. I can’t thank the Stettler Health Services Foundation enough for its tremendous and ongoing efforts in making this project a reality. Health foundations like the one here in Stettler make our community strong.”
The suites complete the second phase of a multi-year renovation project at the Alberta Health Services facility. The first phase, completed last October, included creation of the new pharmacy and gift shop, as well as modifications to the cafeteria. The third phase of renovations, scheduled to begin next month, will upgrade the emergency department.
“We are thrilled with the improvements to our hospital so far – with more still to come,” says Diane Palmer, site manager of the Stettler Hospital and Care Centre. “We know that these labour and delivery upgrades will improve the experience for moms, and they will provide a superior environment for the healthcare team to care for their patients.”
Funding for the three-phase, $9.3-million renovation project comes from the Government of Alberta’s Infrastructure and Maintenance Program.
Equipment and furnishings for the new labour and delivery suites were provided by the Stettler Health Services Foundation, which continues to raise funds to support the renovation project.
“The foundation is so grateful to the community for supporting parents as they welcome new babies to their families,” says foundation chair Leona Thorogood. “Our residents have provided modernized equipment and comfortable furnishings for moms in labour, and Stettler continues to step up with support for the renovations.”
To date, the foundation has raised $250,000 for renovations with plans to raise an additional $400,000 for the purchase of emergency department equipment.
When the project is complete, patients, families, physicians, staff and volunteers will benefit from improved patient flow, more privacy and enhanced quality of service.
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.
