The Government of Alberta says Budget 2023 will boost surgery capacity over the next three years.
An $80-million increase into the healthcare system will add 20,000 more surgeries in 2023-24, the provincial government states in a media release Thursday.
“We are making the investments and changes in our health care system that Albertans need,” said Premier Danielle Smith.
“The ability for Albertans to get the surgeries they need, more quickly and closer to home, is so important. I’m proud of the work that we’re doing in health care, and I’m so pleased with the good results that we’re seeing.”
Alberta Health Services has the goal of performing 310,000 surgeries over the next 12 months.
As of March 27, 32,200 Albertans are waiting for surgery outside the clinically recommended time, down from 39,200 in November.
Alberta’s surgeons are completing approximately 6,000 surgeries every week.
“Budget 2023 moves us one step closer to fulfilling our promise to Albertans,” said Jason Copping, minister of health.
“By providing thousands more publicly funded surgeries, patients can have better care throughout the province, and access the surgical care they need within the clinically recommended wait time.”
A new investment of $120 million over the next three years will expand and modernize operating rooms across the province, including in rural areas. This new funding will support operating room projects in Red Deer, Stettler, Ponoka, Innisfail, Olds, Brooks, Calgary, Camrose, Crowsnest Pass, Edmonton, Fort Saskatchewan, Grande Prairie, Pincher Creek, St. Albert and Taber.
“Expanding operating rooms across Alberta is a great step forward in creating additional surgery spaces, reducing surgery wait times and creating jobs for Albertans,” said Nathan Neudorf, minister of infrastructure.
“As the minister in charge of the construction process for these projects, I am thrilled that more construction and related jobs will be created in the lead up to helping our health care system grow and thrive.”
David Shepherd, Alberta NDP critic for health, said “empty beds will not reduce surgery wait times” in Alberta.
“We already have operating rooms that are sitting empty across this province because of severe staffing shortages caused by the UCP,” said Shepherd.
“Danielle Smith and Jason Copping can announce all the expansion and development of hospital operating rooms they like, but that will not help one single Albertan without a plan on how to staff them.
Alberta Health’s 2023-24 Surgical Initiative Capital Program operating budget is $237 million – a $120-million increase from 2022-23.
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