September 16, 2025
LLOYDMINSTER — More local patients with chronic kidney disease can now access dialysis in Lloydminster following the opening of a new hemodialysis unit, which served its first patients at the Community Services Building on Sept. 9.
Previously, local dialysis was provided at the Lloydminster Hospital, where 20 patients – 11 from Alberta and nine from Saskatchewan – received treatment multiple times per week. In its new location, the dialysis unit can accommodate 24 patients, which means all patients on the waitlist as of Sept. 13 who have requested dialysis treatments in Lloydminster can be accommodated.
“This is an exciting enhancement to renal dialysis services in the community,” says Janice Thompson, Patient Care Manager with Alberta Kidney Care-North, Alberta Health Services (AHS). “Our new, larger unit enables us to care for more patients than ever before in a more comfortable environment that also provides improved patient privacy and spaces for our care teams to do their work. We’re very grateful to all the partners and supporters involved in making this expansion in Lloydminster possible.”
AHS will operate the dialysis unit in collaboration with the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA).
“Today’s grand opening event and the expansion of dialysis services marks meaningful progress in our shared goal to bring dialysis care closer to home for more patients,” says Dr. Lyle Grant, Executive Director, Acute Care Northwest, SHA. “I wish to thank our project partners from Alberta and Saskatchewan for their cooperation, and the Lloydminster Region Health Foundation for their continued generosity in seeing the project through to completion.”
The new dialysis unit is currently operating six stations Monday to Saturday, which is an increase from the five stations that were operational at the hospital. As additional staff are hired and onboarded, the unit will begin operating all nine of its stations on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays later this fall. Additional time slots can be added to meet future patient needs.
The dialysis project received $6.2 million in funding from the Government of Alberta’s Rural Health Facilities Revitalization Program, which funds strategic capital projects at rural health facilities to help ensure Albertans can access the healthcare services they need as close to home as possible.
“The new renal dialysis centre in Lloydminster is a significant enhancement to the city’s healthcare services. It will improve patient outcomes and ensure that both Saskatchewanians and Albertans have access to high-quality care closer to home,” says Matt Jones, Minister of Hospital and Surgical Health Services.
“This new dialysis unit is welcome news for patients and families in Lloydminster and area,” adds Saskatchewan Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill. “By working together with Alberta Health Services, the Saskatchewan Health Authority, and community partners, we’re ensuring more people can receive the care they need closer to home.
“I want to thank everyone involved in making this expansion possible and for their continued commitment to patients on both sides of the border.”
In addition, the Lloydminster Region Health Foundation, through donor support, provided approximately $170,000 towards the new dialysis unit. These donations have supported not only the ability to increase from six dialysis stations to nine, but additional patient comforts such as bedside TVs.
“The Lloydminster Region Health Foundation is incredibly thankful to Alberta Health Services and the Saskatchewan Health Authority for their dedication and teamwork in completing the Lloydminster Dialysis Relocation Project,” says Stephanie Munro, CEO, Lloydminster Region Health Foundation. “We’re especially grateful to the generous donors from our community and region whose support made this vision a reality. Thanks to them, the new unit is built not only for the needs of today, but for growth in the future, with patient comfort and care at the heart of every detail. This project is a true example of what we can achieve when we work together.”
Hemodialysis is the process of cleansing the blood of toxins and excess fluid when normal kidney function is reduced. A patient’s blood is filtered through a dialyzer and returned to the body. Treatment, which can take four hours, is often required three times a week.
Alberta Kidney Care-North provides assessment, treatment, and follow-up for people with kidney problems in a geographical area that includes central and northern Alberta, where more than 185,000 facility-based hemodialysis treatments were delivered last year. The program also provides other treatments for kidney failure, including peritoneal dialysis, home hemodialysis, and conservative care, which enables patients who may not tolerate dialysis to enjoy the best quality of life possible without hemodialysis.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is responsible for the delivery of safe, high-quality healthcare for Saskatchewan, including the Lloydminster area. The SHA Kidney Health Program works with various healthcare specialties in the prevention, detection, management and treatment of chronic kidney disease. The kidney health team works with the patient and the family to ensure access to services, as well as provide education and support.
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.
