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| June, 16, 2006 | Back to List | Print this Page  | | Rural Albertans Access Superior Health Services | | | The quality of life for rural Albertans is greatly impacted by access to quality health services. "People living in suburban and rural communities within the Capital Health region have access to superior health services ranging from state of the art birthing rooms to individualized geriatric assessments," says Mary James, Senior Operating Officer, Suburban/Rural Communities, Capital Health.
The sixth annual Alberta Rural Health Week will be celebrated June 18 - 24, 2006. This special week is the opportunity to recognize and raise awareness of rural health. This year's theme is "Improving Access to Rural Health Services."
Capital Health has continued with efforts to improve access throughout the region. A number of exciting developments have occurred this past year or are in the planning stages for the future. For example, six new long term care beds have been added to the Redwater Health Centre. This has been a welcome addition to the community. The six beds opened in March of 2006 and were quickly occupied. A new physician has also been recruited to Redwater from South Africa and will be joining the Redwater community at the end of June.
Healthy Aging clinics are now offered in Wildwood. These clinics enable seniors to obtain health monitoring and information without leaving their community. Foot care is provided. Several new Public Health programs have also started at the Evansburg Health Unit including sexual health teaching and Post Partum Depression Support.
Hundreds of school children have benefited from the enhanced kindergarten speech program this year offered by the WestView Health Centre in Stony Plain. The program focuses on an enriched classroom speech program and individualized attention to enhance children's educational experiences. The Health Centre has undergone renovations resulting in the addition of four new contemporary birthing rooms that provide a homelike environment and include space for family. The Emergency Room at WestView has also been renovated and now has capacity for 17 stretchers.
In partnership with the WestView Primary Care Network, a number of female physicians and public health nurses offer women's health care clinics on a regular basis. The WestView Primary Care Network has also established an innovative after-hours care clinic at the WestView Health Centre that runs from 6 to 10 p.m. Monday to Friday and includes access to lab and diagnostic imaging services.
The Leduc Community Hospital has been undergoing renovations. Home Care, Community Health Services, and Public Health were moved to the Leduc Community Health Centre which was constructed next door to the hospital. This freed up space to expand the outpatient area and reclaim an 18 bed nursing unit for future use. The Emergency Department is also being modernized and will be expanded to accommodate 17 stretchers.
Clients in Devon now have the option of attending Respiratory Clinics at the Devon General Hospital twice weekly. This provides service and support to people with chronic respiratory disease. Moms returning to Devon after having babies are offered programs such as the New Mom's Network and increased Pre-Natal and Breast Feeding classes. There are also plans to enhance the Continuing Care Dining and Recreation areas, and expand Ambulatory, Community Care and Public Health areas and programs. Development of two additional family-centered care suites is planned over the next year.
Palliative Care/End of Life Care is being enhanced at the Fort Saskatchewan Health Centre through the development of a Palliative Care Committee and Pastoral Care Network. Fort Saskatchewan is also excitedly awaiting their replacement hospital which has been approved and will soon be in the design phase.
The Morinville Health Centre held a public consultation session to explore how community needs might be better met. As a consequence of feedback received, lab and x-ray hours were expanded to improve access for the public.
For physicians in rural communities, specialist consultations are now just a phone call away though Capital Health's Critical Care Line and Urgent Care Line, which connect physicians to appropriate Capital Health specialists for advice and, if necessary, to arrange rapid transportation to a hospital.
Rural health service delivery faces some unique challenges. There are large geographic distances and access issues to certain health services. People in rural communities can always access Capital Health Link 24 hours a day, seven days a week to get health advice from a registered nurse or information on services. Call 408-LINK (5465) or, outside the local calling area, toll-free 1-866-408-LINK (5465). Despite the challenges, Capital Health's suburban and rural communities have many innovations and success stories. "Capital Health is excited to be a part of Alberta Rural Health Week to recognize and raise awareness of these rural health initiatives and improved access," says James.
Rural Health is an integral part of Capital Health's commitment to improving health outcomes for people in our communities by promoting health, treating illness and injury, advancing education and research and providing health information. In co-operation with its many partners, Capital Health is committed to making the region, and its large referral area, the healthiest place to live, work and raise a family in Canada.
| | For more information, please contact: | | Ceclia Bloxom | | Public Affairs | | Capital Health | | 780.735.2700 | | CeciliaBloxom@cha.ab.ca | | http://www.albertaruralhealth.ab.ca/index.html |
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