New maternity, community health centre for La Crete
2021-08-11

Alberta’s government is providing $35 million over three years from Budget 2021 to begin planning the new health facility in the hamlet 112 kilometres southeast of High Level. Funding will support a birthing centre with a midwifery program, a new Emergency Medical Services response facility and more space to access mental and primary health care.

“This historic investment is a part of Alberta’s Recovery Plan to build, grow and diversify our economy. It includes Alberta’s largest ever infrastructure build to create jobs across Alberta while meeting the needs of Albertans. That’s how we ensure our communities continue to grow and thrive. We are committed to this project, and to providing northern and remote communities in Alberta better access to health care in facilities close to home, like this state-of-the-art maternity and community health centre.”

Jason Kenney, Premier

“La Crete is a growing community with many young families that need better access to modern health facilities to keep them healthy and well. A larger health centre will provide people care under one roof – with better access to family doctors, mental health therapists, community services, ultrasounds and midwives for expectant mothers. I’m very pleased to see the project move forward.”

Tyler Shandro, Minister of Health

“Building a new health and birthing facility in La Crete will create hundreds of good jobs over the coming years and is a long-term investment in the health of rural Albertans and the rural economy.”

Prasad Panda, Minister of Infrastructure

“Alberta’s government is committed to ensuring women in our province have access to the supports and services they need during this incredible time in their lives. This investment directly addresses a unique need in this community, and it will improve the lives of women, children, and ultimately the entire community of La Crete and the surrounding area.”

Whitney Issik, Associate Minister of Status of Women

“On behalf of the people of La Crete I am overjoyed at this announcement. Having 300 or so and steadily rising babies being born every year from around La Crete, with many having to travel close to 200 kilometres to get to a hospital, mothers end up giving birth on the roadside each and every year. The announcement for this community health centre couldn't come at a better time!”

Josh Knelsen, reeve, Mackenzie County

“Premier Kenney gave his personal commitment in 2019 that this community health centre would be built in La Crete and I’m very pleased to see this promise fulfilled.”

Dan Williams, MLA for Peace River

Alberta Health Services currently operates the La Crete Community Health Centre, where people have access to care for minor and non-life-threatening illnesses. But there is no room for Alberta Health Services (AHS) to expand in any of its local facilities. Pregnant women have to travel more than one hour to the High Level hospital – the Northwest Health Centre – for multiple ultrasounds and to give birth.

A bigger health facility will increase access to care for the 9,200 people who live in and around La Crete. The new health centre will offer:

  • Ultrasounds to expectant mothers.
  • Midwife services in a dedicated birthing centre for moms with low-risk pregnancies. Women with high-risk pregnancies and those who need C-sections will continue to give birth in High Level’s hospital.
  • More space for prenatal classes and a dedicated lactation program to help mothers with breastfeeding.
  • Additional space for family doctors and primary care teams. Right now, three family physicians work in the medical clinic attached to the health centre.
  • Improved access to mental health services and therapists.
  • A new, larger Emergency Medical Services response facility, with four ambulance bays and four single residential apartments for visiting clinical staff, including physician locums, nurses, interns and specialists.
  • Space for physiotherapy and occupational therapy, currently offered in the continuing care facility.
  • Telehealth and video conferencing consultation capabilities, so patients in La Crete can receive virtual care from specialists in High Level or elsewhere.

“This new maternity and community health centre will ensure our patients receive quality care in the best environment. We recognize how important it is to families in our rural areas to have access to primary care services close to home.”

Dr. Verna Yiu, president and CEO, Alberta Health Services

Alberta’s government, AHS and the College of Midwives of Alberta will work together to develop and grow a new care model to support midwives to deliver babies in low-risk pregnancies in La Crete. Currently, one midwife out of High Level provides pre- and post-natal care in La Crete but can only help deliver babies in the High Level hospital.

“The College of Midwives of Alberta is looking forward to having registered midwives serve in the La Crete area, assisting childbearing families. Midwives are a great fit in this situation. Registered midwives provide safe, competent, ethical, compassionate and evidence-informed primary midwifery care to diverse populations in any practice setting.”

Sharon Prusky, registrar and executive director, College of Midwives of Alberta

Functional planning for the new facility is underway to determine space requirements and locations of programs and services. Design is anticipated to begin in 2022. Final dates for construction are being determined, with the aim to complete the project in four to five years.

Budget 2021 protects lives and livelihoods with a historic investment in health care while laying the foundation for economic growth. Through the prudent management of tax dollars, Alberta’s government can continue to invest in priority areas to ensure Alberta emerges from COVID-19 stronger than ever.

Quick facts

  • Budget 2021 provides a three-year $3.4-billion commitment for health-related capital projects and programs, including:
    • $2.2 billion for health infrastructure projects, including $143 million for five new projects:
      • The new maternity and community health centre in La Crete
      • An expanded intensive care unit, coronary care unit and gastrointestinal clinic in Calgary’s Rockyview General Hospital
      • Expansion of the neonatal intensive care unit at Calgary’s Foothills hospital
      • A new cyclotron and radiopharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Calgary
      • Demolition of the old High Prairie Health Complex
    • $766 million for Alberta Health Services self-financed capital for parkades, equipment and other capital requirements.
    • $343 million for capital maintenance and renewal of existing facilities.
    • $90 million for health department IT projects.