FORT SASKATCHEWAN, Alberta (Rajeev Sharma): Fort Saskatchewan Community Hospital is set to expand its surgical services following a $12.5-million investment from Alberta’s government aimed at increasing the number of procedures performed each year.
Announced on October 8, the funding will support renovations and infrastructure upgrades designed to boost the hospital’s surgical capacity by nearly 50 per cent. Once completed, the improvements are expected to enable more than 3,000 additional procedures annually, giving more patients access to treatment closer to home.
Construction is scheduled to begin in the coming weeks, with the upgraded facilities expected to become fully operational by 2029. Hospital services will continue during the renovation period, and the work will be carried out in phases to limit disruption to patients and medical staff.
Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Hospital and Surgical Health Services, said the project is part of the province’s broader effort to strengthen surgical services and prepare the health system for future demand. She said the upgrades would help deliver thousands of additional procedures each year and improve access to timely care.
Infrastructure Minister Martin Long said the investment would help modernize the hospital and ensure Alberta’s health facilities can accommodate the needs of expanding communities.
The project comes as Fort Saskatchewan and nearby communities experience continued population growth, placing greater demands on local health services. Officials expect the expanded surgical facilities to help more residents receive procedures within their own region, potentially reducing the need to travel to other communities for treatment.
Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk, MLA for Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville, said improving local surgical services would be particularly important as the region grows. She highlighted the potential benefits for patients and families seeking convenient access to care, along with efforts to ease surgical backlogs.
The Fort Saskatchewan project forms part of Alberta’s broader Alberta Surgical Initiative, which includes $284 million in funding over three years. The provincial program supports operating room renovations, improvements to surgical infrastructure and the purchase of new medical equipment at hospitals across Alberta.
Through these investments, the government aims to improve the patient experience from initial referral through surgery and recovery, reduce wait times and make more effective use of available surgical resources.
The Fort Saskatchewan upgrades are expected to strengthen the hospital’s ability to meet growing regional demand while expanding access to surgical treatment in the years ahead.
