Parents will benefit from two new labour and delivery suites built as part of a major renovation project at the Stettler Hospitals and Care Centre
The suites, which opened last week, enable mothers to stay in the same space for labour, delivery and postpartum care for the duration of their stay, with more privacy and comfort.
“I’m very pleased moms around Stettler will be able to access quality maternal care in these new suites in their community,” says Tyler Shandro, Minister of Health. “This is great news for growing families. Our government remains committed to supporting projects like this that make patients the priority.”
“I’m thrilled to see the completion of two new labour and delivery suites at the Stettler Hospital,” adds Nate Horner, MLA for Drumheller-Stettler. “This is a great investment in our community that will allow mothers in and around Stettler to receive more high-quality and timely maternity care. I can’t thank the Stettler Health Services Foundation enough for its tremendous and ongoing efforts in making this project a reality. Health foundations like the one here in Stettler make our community strong.”
The suites complete the second phase of a multi-year renovation project at the Alberta Health Services facility. The first phase, completed last October, included the creation of the new pharmacy and gift shop as well as modification to the cafeteria. The third phase of renovations, scheduled to begin next month, will upgrade the emergency department.
“We are thrilled with the improvement to our hospital so far - with more still to come,” says Diane Palmer, Site Manager of the Stettler Hospital and Care Centre. “We know that these labour and delivery upgrades will improve the experience for moms, and they will provide a superior environment for the healthcare team to care for their patients.”
Funding for the three-phase, $9.3-million renovation project comes from the Government of Alberta’s Infrastructure and Maintenance Program. Equipment and furnishings for the new labour and delivery suites were provided by the Stettler Health Services Foundation, which continues to raise funds to support the renovation project.
“The foundation is so grateful to the community for supporting parents as they welcome new babies to their families,” says foundation chair Leona Thorogood. “Our residents have provided modernized equipment and comfortable furnishings for moms in labour, and Stettler continues to step up with support for the renovations.”
Last year 170 babies were born in the Stettler Hospital and Care Centre.
To date, the foundation has raised $250,000 for renovations with plans to raise an additional $400,000 for the purchase of emergency department equipment.
The next scheduled renovations will be the Emergency Department. “We are in discussions right now and hopefully we’ll be starting fairly soon in March and hopefully be finished in late 2020 or early 2021” said Diane Palmer. All emergency services will still be available during renovations.