This release was issued under a previous government.
“I am pleased to deliver on a plan that Lac La Biche residents have long been waiting for. By building a permanent dialysis unit at the William J. Cadzow Healthcare Centre, our government is working to meet the health care needs of residents in Lac La Biche and those from surrounding communities. This announcement speaks to our vision of enhanced medical care and treatment for rural Albertans.”
With six stations in the permanent dialysis unit, patient capacity will be increased to 12; up from 10 in the dialysis bus. It will serve Albertans from Smoky Lake and Vilna to Wandering River and Athabasca.
“For those living with kidney disease, dialysis is a critical but time- consuming treatment. An in-facility unit will provide patients in the area with stable dialysis treatment for years to come. We are grateful to the government for this addition.”
The province has allocated up to $3 million for the dialysis unit. Design will begin this spring and the project is expected to be accepting patients in early 2018.
The dialysis bus that has served the area since 2010 will be decommissioned once the permanent dialysis unit is operational.
“I am extremely pleased that Alberta Health Services is bringing a much-needed, essential medical service to Lac La Biche County, which will also serve our surrounding First Nation communities and Metis Settlements. We appreciate Alberta Health listening and responding to the needs of our community. We will continue to work closely with Alberta Health Services to further improve and enhance health care for rural Albertans.”