By Troy Gillard

part of $50M provincial investment

Hospital upgrades on the way for Olds, Wetaskiwin, Drayton Valley

Mar 17, 2021 | 3:21 PM

The provincial government is touting its three-year, $50-million commitment from the latest budget to modernize and improve rural health facilities across the province.

The Rural Health Facilities Revitalization Fund is supporting upgrades and renovation projects in Alberta Health Services’ hospitals and facilities, including emergency departments, sterilization and medical device reprocessing areas, pharmacies, EMS stations, ambulance garages and medical laboratories.

“Rural communities help make our province thrive and grow. This investment protects the lives and health of people living in these communities and also protects livelihoods by creating jobs as part of our multibillion-dollar Capital Plan to build Alberta and prepare it for recovery from COVID-19,” said Premier Jason Kenney.

Projects moving forward under this fund in the Central Zone include:

• $650,000 to redesign and renovate the emergency department triage area and desk at Drayton Valley Hospital and Care Centre

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• $1 million to upgrade the medical device reprocessing area, including cart washers and washer disinfector, in Olds Hospital and Care Centre

• $3.8 million to renovate the emergency department and $2.1 million to renovate the medical device reprocessing area at Wetaskiwin Hospital and Care Centre.

About $5 million for the Rural Health Facilities Revitalization Fund has not been allocated at this time and is being held for future projects.