April 7, 2025
GRANDE PRAIRIE – Alberta Health Services (AHS) is adding a new 19-bed inpatient transition unit at the Queen Elizabeth II (QEII) Ambulatory Care Centre.
These lower-acuity beds are intended as a temporary care setting for patients who no longer require acute care or are awaiting a continuing care home space. They are often referred to as Alternate Level of Care, or ALC, beds. These beds are expected to open to patients later this month and will free up acute care capacity at Grande Prairie Regional Hospital, particularly during the busy respiratory illness season.
“Healthcare is incredibly important and these new transition beds will be an excellent addition to our local care for northern residents,” says Nolan Dyck, MLA for Grande Prairie. “The new unit will help ensure area residents are receiving the level of care they need, in the most appropriate setting. I am very encouraged by this expansion of transition beds in our area.”
Ron Wiebe, MLA for Grande Prairie-Wapiti, adds: “I’m happy to see the former QEII hospital space being further utilized to expand and enhance care for residents of the Grande Prairie region.”
Patients in the transition unit will receive care from registered nurses, healthcare aides and physicians, as well as from healthcare professionals in rehabilitation, pharmacy, or social work, depending on their needs.
“They may not require traditional, acute-level hospital care but they could benefit from more time to recover or additional supports to safely return home,” says Candice Edey, AHS Senior Operating Officer for Grande Prairie.
The former QEII Hospital transitioned to the QEII Ambulatory Care Centre in December 2021 with the opening of the new Grande Prairie Regional Hospital. Various community-based healthcare services continue to be provided at the QEII and adjoining Mackenzie Place site, along with support services for these programs, as needed.
Alberta Health Services provides a range of healthcare services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Our mission is to provide excellent, patient-focused healthcare 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.
