Budget 2023 invests $3 million over three years to advance the planning for a new, stand-alone Stollery Children’s Hospital. The Foundation is matching the government’s commitment, bringing the total planning dollars to $6 million.
The Stollery is the second-largest children’s hospital in Canada by bed count, second only to the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. However, unlike most children’s hospitals in Canada, it is not a stand-alone building.
About 300,000 children go to the Stollery hospital each year. This includes nearly 55,000 emergency room visits and more than 12,000 surgeries. With almost 40 per cent of inpatients coming from outside the Edmonton area, the Stollery is a highly valued part of the health care system in Alberta and for outer parts of Canada.
“Every parent who has ever had to take a child to a children’s hospital knows how valuable facilities like the Stollery are. Children’s health care needs are unique, and a world-class, pediatric, stand-alone hospital for the Stollery will allow it to continue to be one of the leading children’s hospitals in the country.”
The additional funding shows the government’s commitment to invest in the treatment and care of Alberta’s children both now and in the future.
A new children’s hospital in Edmonton will provide more beds in private rooms, more space for kids to be with their families and supports, better teaching space and technologies that will enhance quality care for kids.
“At Alberta Health Services, we’re continually working to improve the health care journey for patients and families. Exploring the potential of a new stand-alone Stollery Children’s Hospital is immensely exciting for us. The Stollery serves an area far beyond Edmonton, with more than 300,000 patient visits each year. We’re grateful for the opportunity to continue to explore new options to deliver world-class pediatric health care well into the future.”
“We are excited to continue to work with government toward the goal of building a new Stollery Children’s Hospital that is purpose-built for kids and their families, that puts mental and physical health under one roof, and that is set up to give future generations of Albertans the best chance at a long and healthy life.”
“A new purpose-built hospital would mean fewer trips to other facilities for appointments and more focus on the overall health of our kids. With all their needs serviced in one facility, medical practitioners have more opportunity to collaborate on the overall health, with a better understanding of their complex needs.”
The investment in Budget 2023 is in addition to the $1-million investment made in 2021, which was matched by the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation. The Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation will also match the Alberta government’s investment with an additional $3 million to further speed up planning for the new children’s hospital – a project that government is fully committed to building once planning is complete.
The planning process will consider several needs and priorities facing the hospital, including increased capacity to serve Alberta’s growing population, larger clinical spaces, more private rooms, and spaces built especially for children and the families that support them during their time in the hospital.
“The specialized pediatric care the Stollery Children’s Hospital provides to Alberta’s children and youth is second to none. Albertans are relying on government to increase capacity in our health care system and this investment will ensure the Stollery continues to provide Edmonton and Alberta’s children with the world-class care they deserve and expect.”
This commitment supports initial planning while the business case is being finalized. A full business plan is expected to be completed this summer.
Budget 2023 secures Alberta’s future by transforming the health care system to meet people’s needs, supporting Albertans with the high cost of living, keeping our communities safe and driving the economy with more jobs, quality education and continued diversification.
Quick facts
- The Stollery Children’s Hospital, established in 2001, is a full-service pediatric hospital and centre for complex pediatric care and research.
- The Stollery is the only specialized health care facility for infants, children and youth in central and northern Alberta.
- It has among the highest inpatient volumes of any children’s hospital in Canada and serves a geographical area of more than 500,000 square kilometres.
- More than 40 per cent of the children treated are from outside the Edmonton area.
- The hospital currently has 236 beds.
- The Stollery is Western Canada’s referral centre for pediatric cardiac surgery and a national leader in organ transplantation.
Read the full news release here. Learn more about the Stollery Tomorrow & Today campaign.