July 7, 2021
HIGH RIVER — About $6 million will be spent on medical device reprocessing (MDR) renovations and pharmacy upgrades at the High River General Hospital thanks to the Alberta government’s Rural Health Facilities Revitalization Program.
The MDR renovations further ensure medical devices used at the health centre are cleaned and sterilized properly, reducing the risk and spread of infections caused by viruses and other threats to staff and patients. The pharmacy upgrades include improvements to equipment used by staff.
Work on the MDR renovations and pharmacy upgrades are expected to begin in the coming months. More detailed timelines will be shared once the projects are underway.
“Alberta’s government remains committed to rural healthcare and the rural hospitals so many Albertans rely on every day,” says Tyler Shandro, Minister of Health. “Renovation projects are vital to modernizing smaller, rural facilities to ensure they offer the best and safest health services possible, in all corners of the province.”
“Rural communities help make our province thrive and grow,” says Roger Reid, MLA for Livingstone-Macleod. “This funding for the High River General Hospital will have a direct impact on our community and ensure access to healthcare facilities that provide high-quality care as close to home as possible”
The government’s $50-million commitment to the Rural Health Facilities Revitalization Program supports AHS to complete infrastructure projects over the next three years at its rural sites.
“Projects like these help maintain our facilities and ensure our patients receive quality care in the best environments,” says AHS President and CEO Dr. Verna Yiu. “So it is vital we keep our healthcare infrastructure current and up to date.”
A further $2.7 million of government Infrastructure Maintenance Program funding has recently supported other upgrades at the local hospital, including repairs to elevators, air handling unit, the emergency power system and the electrical system, as well as replacement of flooring and the maternity ward desk.
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.
