January 30, 2019
SWAN HILLS – Two medical detox beds have opened at the Swan Hills Healthcare Centre, increasing access to care for those dealing with addictions in northern Alberta.
The program began accepting patients earlier this month. Patients typically go through the medical detox process within five to seven days, and are then discharged with referrals to community addiction and mental health services and/or inpatient residential treatment programs.
“These life-saving detox beds will fill an urgent need in Swan Hills and northern Alberta by providing safe, medically supervised spaces to allow people to more safely withdraw from substance use,” says Minister of Health Sarah Hoffman. “Our government is working closely with our partners in the community to increase access to substance use treatment options like this.”
AHS North Zone also provides medical detox services in Grande Prairie, with 20 beds at the Northern Addictions Centre.
“There was a recognized need for additional medical detox beds in rural areas of the North Zone,” says Swan Hills Healthcare Centre site manager Linda Wolfram. “We have the trained staff and capacity here in Swan Hills to ensure our clients can safely withdraw from alcohol or other drugs in a safe manner and under medical supervision.”
The two medical detox beds are an addition to the existing four acute care beds at the Swan Hills Healthcare Centre.
“Those experiencing addiction need support from family and friends,” says Kendall Taylor, manager of Addiction and Mental Health for Swan Hills. “By increasing access to medical detox in rural communities, Albertans will be able to get help in or near their own community.”
AHS Addiction and Mental Health services in Swan Hills include outpatient addiction and mental health services; and referral for adults and youth to specialized services, including psychiatry and residential addiction treatment. Information, education and prevention services are also available. Call 780-674-8239 to access addiction services, and 780-674-8243 for mental health services.
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.
