Grey Nuns adds 100 beds

Hospital's four-storey addition includes new renal dialysis unit

- Terry Bourque Photography Archbishop Thomas Collins, assisted by Caritas vice-president Gordon Self, blesses a wing of the Grey Nuns Hospital to be used for offices, allowing other space in the hospital to be returned to patient care.

Special to the WCR
Edmonton

On the eve of the World Day of the Sick, Caritas Health Group in Edmonton celebrated an addition to the Grey Nuns Community Hospital and growth for the Catholic health care ministry in Edmonton.

Alberta's largest faith-based provider of health care, Caritas operates the Grey Nuns and Misericordia Commmunity Hospitals and the Edmonton General Continuing Care Centre in Edmonton.

The expansion to the Grey Nuns site houses clinics and offices that have moved out of the busy hospital in order to return three units to inpatient care.

The expansion is part of the Capital Health region's capital plan to reduce wait times and ease pressures on busy emergency departments in the region.

Archbishop's blessing

At the Feb. 10 opening of the new four-storey addition, Archbishop Thomas Collins blessed the 5,500-square-metre space. More than 150 guests attended the ceremony.

The changes will allow about an additional 100 beds to be opened at the site.

"We will be increasing the number of medical beds, redeveloping our third floor for expanded women's health services, and adding geriatrics and stroke service to the complement of care at the Grey Nuns," said Greg Hadubiak, vice-president Grey Nuns Community Hospital.

Programs and services that have moved into the new building include the pre-admission clinic, diabetic education centre, IV therapy clinic and capital health home care and regional palliative care offices, as well as a new renal dialysis unit for southeast Edmonton.

Later this year a similar addition at the Misericordia Community Hospital will be completed - with the potential for 38-per-cent expansion in Caritas-operated hospital beds in Edmonton over the next two years.

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