ST. PAUL – Work has started on a significant renovation project at the St. Therese-St. Paul Healthcare Centre, focused on the facility's emergency department.
The $3.5 million renovation project was announced in March of 2021, under the leadership of former Premier Jason Kenney. On Oct. 24, Alberta Health Services (AHS) confirmed that work was now underway on the emergency department (ED) upgrade and renovation project.
The project is being funded through the Alberta government’s Rural Health Facilities Revitalization Program. Work will include adding three treatment spaces - for a total of nine - in the ED. Upgrades to existing treatment and triage spaces will also take place.
Upgrades to electrical and mechanical systems, along with a new nurse call system will also be done. A new bariatric, accessible patient washroom will also be created.
Enhancements will be made to staff support areas, and a focus will be put on improved functionality to better serve clients, according to AHS.
"The upgrade is expected to enhance patient and staff safety, patient experience and patient flow," according to information from AHS.
The overall size of the emergency department will remain the same, but additional work will occur in other areas to accommodate ED renovations, such as new imaging spaces and X-ray machine for diagnostic imaging, and a new electrocardiogram space.
The project has included "extensive consultation with site leadership, staff and clinicians to create the new design," according to AHS. Creating a construction schedule that allows the ED to still be operational 24/7 with minimal disruption, was also done. Renovations are expected to be done by mid-2024.
“This ED renovation ensures our community has a resilient and modern healthcare infrastructure capable of providing exceptional emergency care for years to come,” says site manager Jamie Malone. “The St. Therese – St. Paul Healthcare Centre is an important healthcare facility. We are committed to ensuring it continues to meet the healthcare needs of our local and area residents.”
MLA for Bonnyville-Cold Lake-St. Paul Scott Cyr says, "This investment in emergency care at the St. Therese-St. Paul Healthcare Centre will ensure residents will continue to have access to exceptional, high-quality urgent care for years to come. I am extremely pleased to see these funds going into the healthcare system in our community."
