Health Minister Jason Copping details investments into operating rooms in Alberta at the Brooks Health Centre, April 6, 2023. (Photo: Ross Lavigne)

By Chris Brown

Operating room improvements planned in southern Alberta communities

Apr 6, 2023 | 11:24 AM

BROOKS, AB – Health facilities in Brooks, Crowsnest Pass, Pincher Creek, Taber are on the list of communities slated to get an expansion and modernization of their operating rooms.

The province says its investing $120 million over the next three years in the projects in 15 communities, aimed supporting more surgeries and reducing wait times.

The announcement was made at the Brooks Health Centre by Premier Danielle Smith and Health Minister Jason Copping on Thursday, April 6, 2023.

Smith said the province is making investments and changes to the healthcare system that Albertans need.

“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,” said Smith.

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According to Alberta Health Services (AHS), expansion projects will enlarge existing operating rooms by modifying the space around the operating room, such as the post anesthesia care unit, surgical scrub space, recovery space, surgical inpatient units, day surgery space and soiled and sterile storage.

As of March 27, 2023, AHS said 32,200 Albertans are waiting for surgery outside of the clinically-recommended timeframes, down from 39,200 in November. Surgeons in Alberta are completing about 6,000 surgeries every week, about 15 per cent more than 2019.

AHS said it has a goal of performing 310,000 surgeries over the next 12 months.

Operating room improvements are also planned for Calgary, Camrose, Crowsnest Pass, Edmonton, Fort Saskatchewan, Grande Prairie, Innisfail, Olds, Pincher Creek, Ponoka, Red Deer, St. Albert and Stettler.

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