<p>More than $1.4 million invested in local health care</p>

Upgrades and repairs improve service at Brooks Health Centre

BROOKS — More than $1.4 million in repairs and upgrades have recently been completed at the Brooks Health Centre to improve services at the local Alberta Health Services (AHS) facility.

Among the improvements:

• A $151,000 nurse call system that enables patients to alert a nurse or other health care staff member if they need assistance.
• A $216,000 steam humidification system that ensures a healthy building environment.
• A $337,000 backup emergency generator so patient care can be maintained during a power outage.
• More than $700,000 in roof replacement and repairs.

“These projects help maintain our facilities and ensure our patients stay well,” says Sean Chilton, Chief Zone Officer, South Zone, AHS. “It is also vital we keep our health care infrastructure up to date.”

Funding for all of these projects came from the Government of Alberta’s Infrastructure Maintenance Program (IMP). In recent years, additional IMP funding has been invested in other projects at the Brooks Health Centre, including chiller replacement, new labour and delivery suites, floor replacement, and a new security system.

“From building helipads to roof work and fire alarm replacement, government is committed to managing and improving health infrastructure and capital,” says Sarah Hoffman, Minister of Health. “These projects are part of that commitment, and help ensure Albertans can have their health care needs met in and around their communities.”

AHS, in partnership with Alberta Infrastructure and Alberta Health, is building and renewing facilities across the province to provide accessible, sustainable, quality health care to all Albertans. AHS currently has about 270 maintenance projects underway throughout the province.

AHS submits a list annually to Alberta Health and Alberta Intrastructure of IMP priority renovation, repair or upgrade projects for the next three years to ensure the projects meet program criteria. Projects are ranked in priority from those that must be done immediately to ensure safety and health of patients and staff, to non-urgent projects that need to be addressed over time.

Taking into account the diverse needs of Albertans, AHS is strategically investing in the health system to support patients and communities to stay healthy and manage illness effectively.

AHS maintains more than 450 facilities throughout the province, including hospitals, clinics, continuing care facilities, mental health facilities and community health sites.

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. 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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