Cochrane health centre brings new services to town

Urgent care, lab services and diagnostic imaging available starting Feb. 15

COCHRANE – Urgent care, laboratory and diagnostic imaging services will be available locally for the first time starting Feb. 15 at 8 a.m. at the new Cochrane Community Health Centre.

Previously, local residents needed to travel to Calgary or Canmore to access these services.

“Cochrane is a rapidly growing community and the introduction of these vital services will make health care much more accessible for our 15,000 local residents,” says Janis Tarchuk, MLA for Banff-Cochrane.

“The 5-Year Health Action Plan, developed by the Alberta government and Alberta Health Services, outlines the need for having the right facilities, in the right places, to meet community health care needs now and into the future. The Cochrane Community Health Centre is definitely the right facility for Cochrane and I’m confident residents will appreciate having the new services, and many existing services, under one roof.”

Cochrane Urgent Care will provide same-day treatment for unexpected but non-life-threatening health concerns, such as broken bones, sprains, lacerations, asthma, dehydration, pain and infections.

It is supported by a full-service laboratory and X-ray department, which also can be accessed by patients with referrals by a physician, midwife, nurse practitioner or chiropractor.

The urgent care clinic is expected to handle about 15,000 visits in its first year, increasing to 30,000 visits by its third year.

Existing Cochrane health services moved into the $15-million Cochrane Community Health Centre for its official opening this past November.

The 50,000-square-foot facility brings more than 20 health services under one roof, including home care, public health, addiction and mental health, environmental health, health promotion, oral health, prenatal/post-natal education, school health, sexual health, rehabilitation, speech therapy, and chronic disease management.

The centre is staffed by more than 125 health care providers.

“Improving Albertan’s access to community-based health services is a priority for Alberta Health Services,” says Lori Anderson, Vice-President of AHS Calgary zone.

“The Cochrane Community Health Centre will provide the community with better options and access to health services, so residents can stay healthy and manage illness effectively.”

Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than 3.7 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.

• News release

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