August 31, 2015
PINCHER CREEK — A $650,000 renovation project, now complete, will improve comfort, safety and security for patients and their families at the Pincher Creek Health Centre emergency department (ED).
A new glass partition and registration desk was installed, the size of the four ED patient rooms was expanded, and a housekeeping room was created in the operating room area to enhance infection prevention.
The community raised about $450,000 for this project through the Windy Slopes Health Foundation. Another $200,000 came from the Government of Alberta’s Infrastructure Maintenance Program (IMP).
“This project is the direct result of the community, government, the Windy Slopes Health Foundation and Alberta Health Services (AHS) working together,” says Sean Chilton, Chief Zone Officer of AHS South Zone.
“It’s an achievement that reflects Albertans’ can-do spirit and commitment they have to their community. AHS would like to recognize the efforts of generous donors who have shared their time or money to improve lives and communities across southern Alberta.”
Foundation Chair Donna Schauerte says she’s thrilled with how dedicated her community was to this project.
“Our community rallied 100 per cent to support this project and, because of such strong commitment, we’ve been able to create an ED that meets our growing health care needs,” Schauerte says. “I can’t put into words how grateful I am for the loyalty and dedication, from members of our community, and business and private donors, in making this renovation a reality. It’s really quite remarkable.”
More than $600,000 in other repairs and upgrades have been completed over the past year at the Pincher Creek Health Centre with the help of IMP funding. They include a $207,000 repaving of the parking lot and back loading docks, and more than $405,000 in roof replacement and repairs. In recent years, additional IMP funding has been used for generator repairs and the replacement of medical vacuum system at the facility.
“From building helipads, to roof work and generator repairs, 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 to Alberta Health and Alberta Infrastructure an annual list 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 over 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.
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