This release was issued under a previous government.
Alberta is building two new operating rooms in the Maternal Child Services Unit. One operating room will be used for scheduled caesarian sections and the other will be used for emergency obstetrical procedures. Currently, all emergency and scheduled C-sections are performed in a general operating room in the hospital.
“Expanding obstetrical services in Red Deer will help ensure children have the best possible start to life. Two new dedicated operating rooms will help reduce pressures in general surgery, helping to decrease wait times for elective procedures and better serve patients in this growing community.”
On average, about 225 babies are born in the Red Deer Regional Hospital every month, and a third of those deliveries result in C-sections. These two new dedicated obstetrical operating rooms will alleviate pressure in the general operating room, and are expected to allow about 1,600 more general surgeries to be completed every year.
“Expanding health care facilities is another way our Building Alberta Plan is working to meet the needs of present and future central Albertans.”
"This announcement is great news for women’s health in central Alberta. This expansion will further enhance patient safety and access to obstetrical procedures as well as have a positive impact on overall operations at Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre. Our entire team is very excited to have this go forward.”
“Through the great work of our volunteers and donors we are able to be involved in this project. It is great to know that our $1.2-million donation is helping this much needed project become a reality to enhance health care in central Alberta.”
The project consultant is expected to be in place this spring. Project design and construction tenders will be completed before construction begins in early 2015. Construction is expected to take 18 months to complete.
Under the Building Alberta Plan, our government is investing in families and communities, living within our means, and opening new markets for Alberta's resources to ensure we're able to fund the services Albertans told us matter most to them. We will continue to deliver the responsible change Albertans voted for.