There is hope for kidney dialysis patients in Lloydminster that the proposed upgrade in services will still meet its end of year timeline.
CEO of the Lloydminster Region Health Foundation Stephanie Munro says there has been some frustration with the setback as the Prairie North Plaza is no longer being considered for the dialysis unit location.
Alberta Health Services in an email to MyLloydminsterNow indicated they would communicate further details when a new location is confirmed. Munro says they are still hoping to have the dialysis unit operational by the end of the year.
“That is the hope – even with the delay in the location, which has provided some frustrations obviously, we are still very hopeful that it will be in place by the end of 2023 – and we will have it up and running.”
Munro says her hope is based on correspondence with Andrew McCletchie, VP of Integrated Northern Health – SHA who has indicated that they are hopeful for late October or November of 2023.
She says the LRHF has about $500,000 from the fundraising efforts in a holding account that is earmarked for the dialysis unit.
“We’re accountable to our donors ultimately – and I am emailing the Saskatchewan Health Authority, Alberta Health Services and respective ministries on a regular basis to see where we are at with this project, because it’s only appropriate to our donors and it’s proper stewardship to be able to report to them what is happening with the project.”
Munro indicates AHS is currently reviewing the viability of another proposed location and they have reiterated their commitment to the project and partnership with the SHA.
The proposed upgrade will see an increase from five to six dialysis units with scope for future enhancements, according to the health planners.
