GPRH recognized by AHS for contributions during wildfire evacuation

Jul 6, 2023 | 2:11 PM

Alberta Health Services is recognizing the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital, for the significant role it played, during the out-of-control wildfires in May.

The GPRH played a unique role, serving a number of healthcare facilities from various evacuated communities, with staff aiding in evacuations and the relocation of patients.

Patients came from a number of facilities, including JB Woods Continuing Care Centre, High Prairie Health Complex, the South Valley Continuing Care Centre, and Valleyview Health Centre.

While the Mackenzie Place Continuing Care Centre hosted continuing care residents from Edson and several patients and continuing care residents from McLennan as well.

Candace Edey AHS Senior Operating Officer for Grande Prairie, said in a release, “We were happy to be able to contribute to the wildfire response at GPRH by serving as a temporary staging area for nearly 100 patients and continuing care residents who needed to leave their home sites due to encroaching wildfires.”

EMS also played a significant role in transporting patients out of the danger zone and bringing them to a facility that can properly handle their needs, along with returning patients back to their homes, once it was safe to do so.

Edey added, said in a release, “We are immensely proud and grateful for our staff who quickly came together to help manage the sudden influx of patients and ensure everyone was properly cared for.”

AHS says they continue to monitor the ongoing situation through the North Zone Emergency Disaster Management Team and will be working to return healthcare services to these affected areas when it is safe to do so.

by Tanner Smith