Alberta Health Services is looking at awarding contracts to two existing providers in Red Deer to increase continuing care beds in the city.
Only two providers came forward after Alberta Health Services advertised a project to add 30 to 40 new beds for dementia and assisted living patients within an existing facility that requires no capital funding.
The names of the providers have not yet been released.
“Contracts have not been finalized,” AHS spokesperson Gjenna Saretsky said on Friday.
“(Alberta Health Services) is working with two providers who can provide the spaces and it will be between 36 and 50 spaces in Red Deer over the next 18 months.”
Beds would be located at the providers’ existing facilities in the city. More information is expected to be released in late March.
The project was announced after a battle to keep long-term care beds open at Valley Park Manor and Red Deer Nursing Home failed last year.
The facilities were closed and patients were moved to long-term care beds at Extendicare Michener Hill that opened last fall.
Health officials previously said the aging Red Deer Nursing Home building required too many upgrades to be used as a health care facility, but Valley Park Manor was in better condition and could be repurposed.
Saretsky said Valley Park Manor is still under consideration.
szielinski@www.reddeeradvocate.com