If you have ever been concerned about privacy when attending the lobby of Canmore General Hospital you would not be alone, but, thanks to a $1.8 million renovation to the facility, patient privacy at the entranceway has been greatly improved.
The hospital began significant renovations a few months ago and now the improved lobby area and admissions desk has been completed, according to Associate Minister of Health Brandy Payne.
Improvements to patient flow and increased privacy were two objectives of the renovation project, said Payne.
“The renovation with the admitting desk allows not just better security for staff, but also allows the opportunity for increased privacy for patients,” she said. “When you come into the hospital, there is a lot of personal information you share and we wanted to make sure patients feel their privacy is being respected.”
Modernization provided through the renovation project would improve more aspects of the hospital than just the lobby. While the lobby area has been completed, Payne said additional work will continue through 2018 on improvements to the acute care nurse station and medication room; additional patient washrooms; resurfacing the parking lot; upgrades to the elevator and replacement of the emergency generator.
Nursing station and medication room improvements in the acute care ward, for example, are being undertaken to allow for easier interaction between staff and patients.
Payne said the NDP government inherited significant infrastructure debt from the previous Progressive Conservative government that was in power. By not doing regular maintenance, she said, there are challenges at public facilities like hospitals that this government it undertaking to address through $143.5 million in budget 2017 funds for health care facilities.
“This really is a priority for our government to make sure Albertans have access to well maintained hospitals and other facilities across the province,” she said. “A lot of our hospitals are older buildings, but a lot of the time the building shell or envelope is in good shape and by doing interior renovations like this one, we are able to extend the life of those hospitals.
“With the $1.8 million invested through the infrastructure maintenance program for Canmore General Hospital, we were able to do a number of really important repairs and upgrades.”
Banff-Cochrane MLA Cam Westhead, who is also an experienced emergency room nurse, welcomed changes to the hospital.
“These changes are important in helping frontline staff to continue delivering the best possible care for patients here at the Canmore hospital,” Westhead said in a press release. “As a nurse, I know how important it is to provide a comfortable, supportive environment for patients. I’m proud to be part of a government that’s investing in rural health facilities.”
