Alberta’s 50 ICU beds announced in March now open in hospitals

Alberta’s 50 ICU beds announced in March are now open in the province’s hospitals in every region as part of a $300 million three-year investment.

Currently, the province has 223 ICU beds, which is a 29 per cent increase from before the pandemic.

“This historic investment in 50 new ICU beds is a big boost to Alberta’s health system and part of our promise to meaningfully increase capacity by adding more permanent beds, more staff and more resiliency for high-demand times,” said outgoing Premier Jason Kenney”

All 50 new ICU beds previously announced in March are now open in our hospitals. Alberta now has 223 adult general ICU beds, up 29% from before the pandemic.
The addition of 50 beds is the largest increase ever in a single year.
Learn more: https://t.co/ENP08Nznsa pic.twitter.com/JTdD4PPvWQ

— Alberta Government (@YourAlberta) October 6, 2022

Meanwhile Minister of Health Jason Copping says Albertans now have better access to ICU beds.

“We put a readiness plan in motion to add capacity and build a health system that would have flexibility to treat those who come into our hospitals as well as to respond to surges and pressures caused by unforeseen events and any future health crisis,” Copping said.

Mauro Chies, the interim president and CEO from Alberta Health Services, says the investment is helpful for AHS.

“AHS is grateful for this investment and our expanded critical care capacity will allow us to respond to demand and ensure Albertans are receiving the specialized care they need, when they need it,” Chies said.

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The ICU beds are available in 12 hospitals:

• Eighteen are in the Edmonton Zone – University of Alberta Hospital, Royal Alexandra Hospital, and Sturgeon Community Hospital
• Thirteen are in the Calgary Zone ­– Foothills Medical Centre, Peter Lougheed Centre, Rockyview General Hospital, and South Health Campus
• Eight are in the Central Zone ­– Red Deer Regional Hospital
• Six are in the South Zone – Chinook Regional Hospital
• Five are in the North Zone – Grande Prairie Regional Hospital and Northern Lights Regional Hospital