New ambulance bay opens at Innisfail Health Centre

INNISFAIL – Patients and healthcare teams at the Innisfail Health Centre will benefit from a new ambulance bay designed to improve safety, efficiency and the overall patient experience.

The newly completed ambulance bay provides a larger, more functional space that accommodates today’s larger ambulance vehicles and enables patients to be transferred directly into the health centre. Patients can now move from an ambulance into the hospital in a protected environment without having to travel through the main entrance or be exposed to the weather.

“This is a really positive improvement for our patients, staff and emergency services teams,” says Innisfail Health Centre site manager Suzanne Telford. “Having a modern ambulance bay that allows for direct, indoor patient transfers improves safety, privacy and the overall experience for patients arriving at the Innisfail Health Centre. It also creates a much more efficient environment for our healthcare and Emergency Health Services teams to work together.”

The new bay has been designed to align with the current size of Alberta’s ambulance fleet, providing Emergency Health Services (EHS) crews with improved access and a more efficient connection to the emergency department (ED).

The project represents an important investment in the Innisfail Health Centre and the delivery of healthcare to the community and surrounding area. About 17,200 patients visit the local ED each year, making a safe and efficient ambulance entrance an important part of supporting local emergency care.

"This long-awaited project is an important improvement to the Innisfail Health Centre that will make emergency ambulance access easy and efficient,” says Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors and MLA for Innisfail-Sylvan Lake. “I’d like to thank Minister LaGrange for her commitment to getting this project accomplished for the residents of Innisfail and area.”

The $4 million project began in June 2025 and was completed earlier this month. The redevelopment of the ambulance bay includes the creation of a courtyard and mural now being enjoyed by palliative care patients and families, as well as parking lot modifications that improve parking and congestion.

The completion of the ambulance bay is an exciting milestone for the Innisfail Health Centre and the community. The project reflects a continued commitment to investing in rural healthcare infrastructure and creating safe, modern spaces that support patients, families and healthcare professionals.

Alberta Health Services provides acute care services for more than five million Albertans at hospitals, urgent care centres and health centres across the province. Its mission is to provide excellent and accessible patient-focused healthcare for all Albertans. Its current focus includes reducing emergency department wait times, increasing access to surgeries and improving patient flow.