New ambulance bay needed addition to general hospital

By Rob Vogt
A $3.4 million addition to the Claresholm General Hospital is making a huge difference in care patients brought in by ambulances are receiving.
A new ambulance bay has been built which is able to accommodate emergency medical services vehicles of all sizes.
This bay replaces the old one where the ceiling was too low for ambulances to drive inside.
That meant patients had to be unloaded outside and wheeled into the hospital.
“Now they can come right inside,” said Site Manager Karli Martin.
She is taking over from Tracy Mitchell, the previous site manager, who was heavily involved in the project and has moved into a director’s role.
The new ambulance bay includes a decontamination area; a supply area with Emergency Medical Services linen; an area with a medication cart, and other essential equipment; and doors that shut automatically.
There are also two new wheelchair accessible bathrooms with showers in them.
The new ambulance bay improves access for STARS Air Ambulance as well. Helicopters can land on the helipad and bring patients right into the hospital.
Construction began on the new ambulance bay in January of 2023 and it was opened on Jan. 8, 2024.
Funding for the project came from the provincial government’s Rural Health Facilities Revitalization Program.
Additional funding was required to complete the project, because of displacement of the shipping/receiving area, to meet the design specifications.
Tony Pasich, Associate Executive Director of EMS South and Central Zones, said the new ambulance bay will create a better patient experience by keeping patients out of the elements.
It will be safer for staff as well.
Moreover, with access to supplies and linen, EMS personnel can re-stock their units and be ready to go again.
The flow of the hospital will also not be interrupted, with the ambulance bay being self-contained and separate.
Martin said reaction to the new ambulance bay has been positive too.
“We’re very excited,” she said. “Excited we get this new building for our hospital.”