This release was issued under a previous government.
The Alberta government has budgeted $3.4 billion for health facilities over the next five years, including $653 million for maintenance and renewal, and $2.7 billion for ongoing and new major construction projects across the province.
Maintenance funding will be increased next year by nearly 60 per cent, from the current $70 million a year to $111 million in 2015-16. By 2018-19 it will rise to $146 million, more than double the current level.
With the extra funding, Alberta Health Services (AHS) is stepping up its maintenance schedule, with 300 projects so far identified over the next two years worth $146 million, and over $80 million still in the budget for the next two years for further priorities. Projects will be managed by the new AHS operational districts. In addition, the capital plan includes $25 million a year to replace and upgrade medical equipment.
“Even in challenging fiscal times, we understand the vital role that health care plays in the lives of all Albertans, and in the quality of life in our communities. That’s why Budget 2015 includes increased funding for both capital and maintenance projects as a key part of our new five-year Capital Plan.”
Major capital projects specific to Edmonton include:
- Redevelopment of the Royal Alexandra Hospital
- Planning for a comprehensive renovation and options for capacity expansion at the Misericordia Community Hospital
- Renovation and expansion of Emergency Departments at the Grey Nuns and Misericordia Community Hospitals
- Business case development for a Brain Centre within the University of Alberta Hospital
- Completion of the Northern Alberta Urology Clinic at Kaye Edmonton Clinic South
- Expansion of critical care and the surgical suite at the Stollery Children’s Hospital
Projects specific to northern Alberta include:
- Commencement of a new template design for a hospital in Whitecourt that will be repeatable, scale-able, and cost-effective.
- New urgent care centres in Beaverlodge and Sylvan Lake (along with Airdrie), based on a new template design that will be repeatable, scale-able, and cost-effective
- New continuing care centre in Fort McMurray
- Funding for ongoing projects to redevelop or replace hospitals in Edson, Grande Prairie, High Prairie, and Fort McMurray
“Our government is committed to making sure Albertans have access to high quality health care services when and where they need them. Investing in our health facilities is part of making sure that health care is there for Albertans when they need it.”
“Alberta faces major fiscal challenges but our commitment to core services has not changed. By extracting better value for the dollars we spend we are protecting priority infrastructure projects and moving ahead with new and modernized health facilities."
"I welcome the investments announced today by the Government of Alberta that will see much- needed investment in infrastructure maintenance and major projects. It is vital that we continue to invest in our critical health care infrastructure so our front-line physicians and staff can provide quality care in safe environments. We must also ensure we invest wisely to position AHS to meet the needs of Albertans into the future."
Alberta has about $20 billion worth of health facilities. Funding for health maintenance projects is administered by Alberta Infrastructure under the Infrastructure Maintenance Program. Through this program, Alberta Infrastructure provides funding to AHS to address priority maintenance needs across the province.