This release was issued under a previous government.

Grande Prairie and area residents will receive improved access to a wide range of health care services including surgery, cancer care and emergency services with the construction of the new Grande Prairie Regional Hospital.

The Alberta government has finalized plans for the new hospital, which will feature 200 acute care beds, plus roughed-in space for an additional 32 beds in the future. The final plans add 8,000 square metres to the new hospital project, for a total of 64,000 square metres.

“This new hospital is part of our commitment to have the health system fit the people it serves,” said Premier Alison Redford. “The services that will be provided in the new facility are based on the health needs of the Grande Prairie region, and will mean more timely access to health care.”

The new budget for the project is $621.4 million, up from the original $520 million, an increase of 19.5 per cent. The extra funding reflects the confirmed scope of services that will be available at the new hospital. Funding will come from the existing provincial budget.

“Finalizing the plans for the new hospital is exciting news for Grande Prairie and area residents,” said Fred Horne, Minister of Health. “Details on the services that should be provided were developed after extensive consultation with area health professionals. The new facility will meet regional health needs and priorities well into the future.”

Approved details include project scope, construction schedule and an enhanced budget. The new hospital will include:

  • 200 inpatient beds - including medical, surgical and rehabilitation, intensive care, cardiac care, neonatal intensive care, pediatric and mental health beds;
  • An emergency department - designed as the primary emergency facility for the Grande Prairie region, supplemented by the urgent care services that will be provided at the existing Queen Elizabeth II Hospital;
  • Nine operating rooms - with the ability to expand to 10 in the future;
  • A cancer centre - bringing radiation therapy services to the community;
  • Obstetrics - space for an anticipated 2,150 annual births in the region by 2025;
  • Diagnostic imaging - including an MRI and future expansion capability;
  • Mental health, respiratory therapy, laboratory and pharmacy services; and
  • Approximately 4,000 square metres for the nursing and medical careers program from the Grande Prairie Regional College.

“The final plans are now in place and we are ready to move forward with the next phase of construction,” said Wayne Drysdale, Infrastructure Minister. “By being innovative and working with Grande Prairie Regional College on this project, we are addressing the expanding health needs of our community and providing more educational and career opportunities for our children.”

The Grande Prairie Regional Hospital is expected to open to the public in 2017. As more detailed work is undertaken to plan the clinical commissioning of the facility, opening dates may be adjusted to ensure the safety of staff and patients.

“Our partnership with the Grande Prairie Regional College and the development of a health care education and training facility will help with recruitment and workforce challenges,” said Stephen Lockwood, AHS Board Chair. “The new hospital will also allow us to serve more people closer to home and to deliver patient-focused, quality health programs and services.”

Backgrounder

Grande Prairie Regional Hospital quick facts

  • In order for more residents to receive health services closer to home, 8,000 square metres has been added to the project. The hospital will feature 200 acute care beds.
  • The larger space includes a 32-bed inpatient unit that will be roughed-in to accommodate future population growth. There were also additions for one extra roughed-in operating room, additional intensive care beds, and more space for mental health, obstetrics, neonatal intensive care, a roughed-in MRI room and other support areas.
  • Site and servicing work is underway. The hospital is expected to open to the public in 2017.
  • The Grande Prairie Regional Hospital will feature a state-of-the-art cancer centre with two new radiation vaults, bringing new radiation therapy services to the community. The cancer centre will bring more comprehensive cancer care closer to home for hundreds of residents from northern Alberta, British Columbia and Northwest Territories who need treatment each year.
  • The project not only expands regional acute and specialized care, but outpatient services, community health services and educational opportunities for local students. A number of services, including some surgeries, will be moved from Edmonton and Calgary.
  • The new hospital will meet current standards for hospital facilities and infection control that call for single patient rooms with their own bathrooms and sinks and larger, separated areas to sterilize equipment.
  • The new hospital will include a health care training facility in partnership with the Grande Prairie Regional College. The new hospital will be built on land donated by the college.
  • The existing Queen Elizabeth II Hospital will continue being used as a health care facility by providing urgent care, outpatient care and community health services. A $5 million redevelopment will provide an opportunity to support integrated, accessible and family-centred care. Alberta Health Services will operate the two sites.
  • Design images are available at http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/2408.asp
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Media inquiries may be directed to:

Jeannie Smith
Press Secretary
Minister of Infrastructure
780-422-6267
780-554-5030 (cell)

Bart Johnson
Press Secretary
Minister of Health
780-427-3665
780-446-9190 (cell)

Mark Evans
Senior Communications Advisor
Alberta Health Services
780-538-6181
780-933-3044 (cell)