The UCP’s recent decision to cancel construction of a hospital in south Edmonton raises doubts that they will follow through on their commitment to expand Red Deer’s hospital despite new funding in the provincial budget, says Alberta NDP leader Rachel Notley.
The 2024-25 budget announced last week includes $810 million over three years for the $1.8 billion expansion of Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre: $156 million in 2024, $316 million in 2025 and $343 million in 2026.
Notley said local hospital advocates say they are cautiously optimistic about the $810 million.
“But I would say there are two asterisks. First, will (the UCP) actually spend it? They spent $69 million in Edmonton only to cancel the project,” Notley said.
Secondly, key local stakeholders are frustrated that they have not been allowed to participate in the planning to increase health care capacity while the project is underway.
“We call on Adriana LaGrange to publicly invite in local stakeholders to be part not only of the planning conversation, but also the transition planning conversation, to ensure we get improved health care services in that hospital for the people of Central Alberta.”
She said another big concern is that the UCP’s budget only supports about a third of the new health care staff needed for Alberta’s growing population over the next three years.
“Not only are they not keeping up with inflation and population (growth), they’re continually wasting money on ideological privatization schemes that don’t work because that’s what they believe in. In the meantime, our public system struggles.”
She said the UCP spent $90 million on failed lab privatization, $80 million on unsafe children’s Tylenol, and $85 million on “chaotic re-organizing of AHS that doesn’t deliver for Albertans one single extra family doctor or nurse.”
Notley said the budget also betrays Central Albertans, especially when it comes to making their lives more affordable. Municipalities must pass on significant property tax increases, like the six per cent tax increase in Red Deer, to pay for crucial services.
She said during the provincial election, Danielle Smith promised a tax cut that would give families $1,500, and she broke that promise the first chance she got. A tax cut isn’t even factored into future budgets.
“In other words, Albertans can’t count on the UCP to stick to their promises in the future,” Notley said.
In a statement, Health Minister Adriana LaGrange said the schematic design is already complete and design work for the hospital is anticipated to be complete by summer 2025.
She added it was the NDP government that removed Red Deer hospital expansion from the capital list during their term.
“Our government is committed to seeing this project through. Budget 2024 provides $810 million toward a $1.8 billion investment for redevelopment of the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre,” LaGrange said.
She said that the province continues to work with local stakeholders about how best to deliver this project to meet the health care needs of the Red Deer region. An information session is also planned for next March 14 to share the progress consult with Albertans living in and around Red Deer.
“Ensuring Albertans have access to healthcare when they need it is of the utmost importance to Alberta Health and Alberta Health Services. That is why AHS continues its efforts to recruit additional physicians and other alternate providers for RDRHC to support not only patients, but current care teams as well. As design work progresses on the redevelopment and expansion of RDRHC, AHS has a number of efforts underway to support ongoing and future operations of the site.”
szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com
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