August 24, 2023
PONOKA — Alberta Health Services (AHS) is opening eight new transition beds at Ponoka Hospital and Care Centre, providing patients with a seamless transition from acute care hospitals throughout central Alberta to an environment that feels like home.
Transition beds will provide medically stable clients who require additional time to recover from their acute illness, or an assessment before transitioning to a supportive living or long-term care environment in their community, with a safe and comfortable place to recover in Ponoka.
“This investment in the Ponoka community will assist patients who are going through a major life transition by getting them in the right place for the right care when they need it,” says Martin Long, Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Health.
Clients in transition beds will receive 24/7 personal or medical support in a home-like environment in Ponoka before they return to community living, helping to prevent infection and physical deconditioning, while promoting client independence and maintaining social interactions.
“We are excited to get beds into circulation that will improve patient flow through hospitals throughout the region and reduce the length of stay for clients in acute care who no longer require acute care services,” says Janice Stewart, chief zone officer, AHS central zone.
The new transition beds are expected to open in early fall and will support other acute care hospitals throughout central zone, providing safe and timely care 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. Our mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans. Our current focus is on reducing emergency department wait-times, improving EMS response times, increasing access to surgeries, and improving patient flow.
