The Lloydminster Hemodialysis Unit officially opened its doors on Sept. 16, bringing to fruition a $6.4-million project that took over a decade to complete.
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The new dialysis unit, located at the Community Services Building at 3830 43 Ave., is currently operating six stations Monday through Saturday, up from five at the hospital.
An expansion to all nine stations will open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays later this fall as new staff come on board. The unit will also add time slots as patient demand grows.
Hemodialysis filters toxins and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys are unable to function properly. Treatments last around four hours and are often needed three times a week.
Alberta Kidney Care–North delivered more than 185,000 hemodialysis treatments in our region last year. They also offer peritoneal dialysis, home hemodialysis and conservative care for patients who might not tolerate dialysis.
Alberta Health Services’ Kidney Care-North patient care manager Janice Thompson said the new space allowed them to clear the dialysis waitlist for the Lloydminster area.
“Our new larger unit enables us to care for more patients than ever before in a more comfortable environment that also provides improved patient privacy and spaces for our care teams,” said Thompson. “We’re very grateful to all the partners and supporters involved in making this expansion in Lloydminster possible.”
Saskatchewan Health Authority Acute Care Northwest executive director Dr. Lyle Grant applauded the work of everyone involved in the project.
“Today’s grand-opening event and the expansion of dialysis services mark meaningful progress in our shared goal to bring dialysis care closer to home for more patients,” said Grant.
“I wish to thank our project partners from Alberta and Saskatchewan for their co-operation and the Lloydminster Region Health Foundation (LRHF) for their continued generosity in seeing the project through to completion.”
The LRHF contributed upwards of $170,000 through donor support to assist with the expansion and add comforts like bedside TVs.
“We’re especially grateful to the generous donors from our community and region whose support made this vision a reality,” said foundation CEO Stephanie Munro.
“Thanks to them, the new unit is built not only for the needs of today, but for growth in the future, with patient comfort and care at the heart of every detail.”
Read more: Lloydminster dialysis centre construction to start Wednesday
