Leaked document puts Alberta Hospital Edmonton upgrades at $8.6 million
EDMONTON – An internal Alberta Health Services document obtained by the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees estimates the total cost of upgrading Alberta Hospital Edmonton to be just $8.6 million. The document also shows that bringing the geriatric psychiatry building up to current standards would cost far less than moving the unit to Villa Caritas in west Edmonton.
“This document shows that redeveloping Building 12, home to the geriatric psychiatry unit, would cost $1.4 million, and Alberta Health Services plans to spend $3 to $5 million renovating Villa Caritas,” AUPE Executive Secretary Treasurer Bill Dechant pointed out.
“Moving geriatric patients to Villa Caritas is going to take long term care beds out of the system, and cost the health system more money. For a province that’s in a deficit position and has a long waiting list for long term care, this just doesn’t make any sense.”
AUPE was told that Health Minister Gene Zwozdesky was provided with the summary of redevelopment costs at a recent tour of Alberta Hospital Edmonton. The union also provided the minister with a copy of the document last week to ensure he was aware of the issue.
An earlier plan to redevelop Alberta Hospital Edmonton created by the Capital Health Region estimated the cost to be approximately $200 million. That plan contemplated an extensive rebuilding effort to create a modern mental health care “campus.” The current redevelopment estimate appears to include only capital upgrades needed to bring existing buildings up to current standards.
“Given the costs and the loss of long-term care beds involved in moving the geriatric unit to Villa Caritas, we hope that Alberta Health Services seriously reconsiders their plan,” said Dechant.
“Maintaining the status quo by redeveloping Alberta Hospital Edmonton would save the province money and bring badly needed long-term care beds into the health care system. It would be a win for patients and the province,” he said.
The leaked document is attached.
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For more information:
Bill Dechant, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, AUPE – 780-930-3302 or 780-232-3870 (cellular)
David Climenhaga, Director of Communications, AUPE – 780-930-3311 or 780-717-2943 (cellular)