Hospitals in Stettler, Sundre, Coronation, and Castor are making patients more comfortable and continue to provide access to diagnostic imaging services thanks to an injection of $2.4 million from the province.
In 2010, the province committed $209 million for maintenance projects through the Infrastructure Maintenance Program and $75 million for technology and equipment, all part of the province’s three-year Health Capital Plan (2010 to 2013).
Projects were to be done between April 2010 and March 2011.
More than $1.2 million went to Stettler Hospital and Care Centre with $400,000 for a new X-ray unit to replace a 12-year-old machine nearing the end of its service life. Over 8,000 X-rays are performed annually at the hospital.
Other hospital equipment purchased for Stettler included 50 long-term care electric beds and a hematology analyzer for running blood tests.
A total of $750,000 went to Sundre Hospital and Care Centre for a new X-ray unit to replace an aging machine, a bariatric emergency stretcher, a new hematology analyzer for running blood tests and maintenance on the facility’s roof and hot water tank, among other projects.
Coronation Hospital and Care Centre received $280,000 to maintain equipment to boost the facility’s air conditioning system and to replace 11 electric beds with new models: seven for use in continuing care and four for acute care.
Our Lady of the Rosary Hospital in Castor received more than $216,000 to replace an X-ray machine that will increase the number of procedures and to purchase a new $60,000 hematology analyzer to test blood cells for a variety of medical tests.
Alberta Health Services maintains 128 health care sites — approximately 500 buildings — throughout the province.