Province announces major upgrades to Peter Lougheed Hospital
Posted Feb 19, 2020 10:18 am.
Last Updated Feb 19, 2020 11:29 am.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) – The Alberta government is making a big investment to a Calgary hospital.
Premier Jason Kenney and Health Minister Tyler Shandro announced they’re committing $137 million from the 2020 budget for a major upgrade and expansion to the Peter Lougheed Centre.
Health Minister @shandro says UCP gov are spending $22B on healthcare this year, and they're trying to get the most bang for their buck. He explains all efficiencies & savings found will go right back into provincial health care. #abpoli #yyc #Calgary @660NEWS pic.twitter.com/iagVDjsjgv
— Saif Kaisar (@StaySaif) February 19, 2020
The upgrades include a new rapid response lab and new mental health intensive care unit.
“I understand that the number of mental health patients visiting this emergency ward has gone up by a third in the last five years alone,” said Kenney.
Kenney added despite the government’s restraint on spending they continue to prioritize health and capital spending.
Health Minister Tyler Shandro said the Peter Lougheed Centre means a lot to his family as his father once worked there as an EMT for almost 30 years.
He adds the emergency room has been in need of an expansion for years.
“We’re going from 35 beds in the emergency room to 49. There’s also plans for mental health ICU which is really needed.”
The Peter Lougheed Centre had around 82,000 patients in its emergency rooms last year and staff expect that number to rise.
Construction is set to begin in 2022 and is scheduled to be completed in 2024.
