Photo: Shane Clausing

By Shane Clausing

Grande Prairie Regional Hospital

GPRH operations running smoothly since opening

Dec 8, 2021 | 1:11 PM

It’s been almost one week since the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital (GPRH) has opened its doors to the public and it is being met with positive reviews so far.

On Saturday, December 4, crews took 11 hours to move all patients from Queen Elizabeth II (QEII) Hospital to the new GPRH, successfully.

MORE: Move to Grande Prairie Regional Hospital successfully completed

“The teams just did an incredible job,” said Stacy Greening, the AHS senior operating officer for Grande Prairie.

Since moving to the new hospital, Greening tells EverythingGP operations at the hospital have been smooth sailing.

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“We have a number of surgeries that have already happened, we had our very first surgery on Saturday and I think now we have had three babies born, which is very exciting for us.”

The new hospital took a decade to complete construction and will serve as the number one place to go for healthcare in northwestern Alberta.

One of the features the GPRH has that the QEII didn’t have was a way for radiation therapy to take place. Now, with the new hospital, procedures like that can happen in the North Zone.

“The biggest change for us is the addition of radiation therapy. It is the first-time radiation therapy is provided north of Edmonton. We have had chemotherapy for some time available in Grande Prairie, but not radiation therapy,” Greening explained.

“I understand today (December 8) that our first patient is being scanned for radiation therapy. That’s very exciting for us because a patient arriving today would have to go to Edmonton previously. That is going to be a major impact to those who require that level of care.”

Greening mentioned every single room inside of the new hospital is a single patient room, which will allow for patients to have some privacy. There are also sleep spaces for designated guests for those staying with a patient overnight.

A feature that will also get more usage in the warmer months will be a new courtyard, which can be used as a gathering place for patients and visitors.

With the GPRH being a brand new facility, many are visiting the facility for the first time. Greening says there are various staff members helping patients and guests find their way throughout the hospital.

“It’s a larger facility, so we have volunteers here throughout the week with wayfinding. I think that will be a learning (experience) for all of us. We all knew QE2 really well, so it is just a new building and getting used to that.”

As for what is next for the GPRH now that it’s operational? Greening said it is all about continuing to grow and recruit staff to the hospital for years to come.