Long-awaited ambulance bay opens at Innisfail Health Centre

“This is exactly the kind of practical investments that make a difference in peoples every day lives. Our government is continuing to make these investments across Alberta.”

Innisfail-Sylvan Lake MLA Devin Dreeshen conduts the official ribbon cutting alongside John Barry, general manager of Medavie Health Services West. (Image Credit: Ian Gustafson/rdnewsNOW)

He’s advocated for a new ambulance bay for many years, as have the Mayor, council, and many others in Innisfail.

He said it was frustrating to see Alberta Health Services not provide the funding for many years.

“I remember a meeting I had years ago with an AHS official who said if they fix Innisfail’s ambulance bay door problem, then there’s a bunch of other rural hospitals that they’d have to fix their ambulance bay to fit modern ambulances,” he said. “To me, that was something that shows the reason why we needed to have massive reforms in AHS to put priorities on these local initiatives to be able to serve not just Edmonton and Calgary but also rural Alberta.”

Minister of Hospital and Surgical Health Services Adriana LaGrange made the initial announcement in June of 2024, when she announced a $2 million investment under the Capital Maintenance and Renewal Program.

Dreeshen said the project ended up doubling because the scope of the project did expand.

They also created a small outdoor courtyard on the other side of the bay, which features a mural for palliative care patients and families to view. The courtyard also provides patients a private spot outside. In addition, modifications were made to the parking lot that improve parking and reduce congestion.

The new courtyard and mural. (Image Credit: Ian Gustafson/rdnewsNOW)

“It’s great to see this investment in the Innisfail hospital,” Dreeshen added. “There’s a lot more investments that we want to see here in Innisfail because I know the ER needs some work to be able to expand its scope of practice and be able to provide more privacy to people and more space for doctors to be able to work.”

Innisfail Mayor Jean Barclay said the project is a huge improvement to the centre for the residents of Innisfail.

She said when members of the hospital auxiliary came to council in 2022, the original vision was to make the door a little wider, but to see what’s been accomplished is amazing.

“It’s not only about having a safer space for the healthcare professionals to transport patients, but it’s even more so important for the patients to have their privacy and dignity,” Barclay said, adding that this project was not Innisfail taxpayer-funded.

Innisfail Mayor Jean Barclay. (Image Credit: Ian Gustafson/rdnewsNOW)

Before the new bay was created, EMS would have to park outside and bring the patient through the main entrance. In turn, the patient would be brought in through a populated area for all to see.

Now, the ambulance can park inside and out of any potential bad weather, and the patient is taken through a separate, more private entrance.

“I’m very proud of what’s been built,” she added.

Meanwhile, John Barry, general manager of Medavie Health Services West, who’s in charge of ambulance services for the centre, said he got into the industry in 1985. He’s also been in Innisfail since 1995.

He said this is an addition to the centre they’ve been asking for for quite some time.

“We haven’t parked inside since well before the pandemic,” he said. “It was very tight, and they used this area for overflow… Now this is great for the paramedics, great for the patients, and for everyone involved.”

by Ian Gustafson

Long-awaited ambulance bay opens at Innisfail Health Centre

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