More than $420,000 invested at local health care centre

BOW ISLAND — More than $420,000 in repairs and upgrades have been completed in the last year at the Bow Island Health Centre to improve conditions at the local Alberta Health Services (AHS) facility.

More than $200,000 of Infrastructure Maintenance Program (IMP) funding was spent on upgrades to the security system. The security upgrades include the installation of a card access control system for doors and a security surveillance system. About $220,000 was spent on repairs to replace waste drain lines. The lines were aging and needed to be replaced.

Funding for 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 AHS facility, including a new nurse call system, main entrance, patient drop-off and waiting area, and an expanded emergency department. Also included was additional space for a casting/orthopedic room, a gynecological room, lab collection and offices. The central heating plant, air conditioner and fire alarm systems were also upgraded.

“This investment is an important part of helping our patients stay well,” says Sean Chilton, Chief Zone Officer for AHS South Zone. “It’s vital we keep our health care infrastructure up to date.”

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 520 maintenance projects underway throughout the province.

“No matter where you live in the province, it’s important that your health care needs can be met as close to home as possible,” says Sarah Hoffman, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “These projects help make that a reality, and are part of our commitment to manage and improve health infrastructure and capital across Alberta.”

Each year, AHS submits a list of IMP priority renovation, repair or upgrade projects for the next three years to Alberta Health and Alberta Infrastructure 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 help patients and communities 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.

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