The province will look at expanding cardiac services at Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge with a $2 million commitment. The money is allocated to begin planning and according to the province, it will look at six priorities; a cardiac catheterization lab, clinical cardiology, cardiac imaging, cardiac device services, ambulatory diagnostics and procedures and prevention.
“The cardiac catheterization lab is a much-needed service here in Lethbridge and I am so thrilled that our government is funding this project,” said Nathan Neudorf, MLA for Lethbridge-East. “I have been working diligently with the minister of health to help push this project along and ensure that the people of Lethbridge have their voices heard and needs better met. I am looking forward to future announcements about this project and cannot wait for the early work to begin right away.
Alberta NDP candidate for Lethbridge-East, Rob Miyashiro, said his party will commit $20 million if elected to expand cardiac services in Lethbridge. He made the announcement on April 12, just over an hour after the provincial government released its announcement.
“This plan is supported by AHS internal evidence and it is time to push go, no more waiting,” he said. “Right now the heart function clinic at the Chinook is at capacity, there is limited access to diagnostic imaging and there is no cardiac MRI available anywhere in the south. This means on average, more than 1,300 patients from the south are forced to travel to Calgary for cardiac services every year.”
Lethbridge-West MLA, Shannon Phillips said she believes the government’s announcement was a reaction to the NDP’s planned announcement.
“No one trusts the UCP with healthcare and it is announcements like this that is the reason why. This is invisible money, it was not in the budget that was just voted on two months ago,” Phillips said.
She said there has already been consultation and a cost assessment prepared by AHS for the expansion and she was surprised it was not in this year’s budget.
“This is a real commitment based on what we know over a series of years and the studies that have already been done and listening very carefully to the community, both the healthcare professionals, patients, patient advocates and actually reading the documents that AHS has in fact prepared,” Phillips said.
The government’s plan will be reviewed by a committee with Alberta Health and Alberta Health Services, then it can be developed into a complete capital needs assessment and business case.
“Alberta Health Services is pleased to receive the funding to advance the planning for enhanced cardiac care in south zone. Once fully operational, the new catheterization lab at Chinook Regional Hospital will help an estimated 1,500 to 1,700 patients a year to remain within their home community for this type of care,” said Mauri Chies, president and chief executive officer of Alberta Health Services.