Two ‘state-of-the-art’ cardiac labs coming to Red Deer hospital

Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre in a file photo.

The Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre will be getting new tools to help with cardiac care for people in central Alberta.

• Download the CTV News App for breaking news alerts on all the top Edmonton stories

The hospital is slated to add two “state-of-the-art” cardiac catheterization labs, as part of a $1.8-billion redevelopment project.

Also known as cath labs, the space will be for specialized teams to perform and support treatments for heart conditions.

“These labs will have the necessary tools and equipment to enable healthcare professionals to visualize a patient’s heart and locate abnormalities,” Health Minister Adriana LaGrange said at a press conference Monday.

“Having these services available in Red Deer will reduce wait times, eliminate the need for travel and help patients get the care they need sooner.”

The hospital’s interim cardiac catheterization lab, expected to open in 2027, will use a space currently being used as a physicians lounge.

By prioritizing the interim cath lab, patients will be able to access services three years earlier than expected, the province said in a news release.

Construction of the full cath labs is expected to begin in the fall and be completed by 2031.

LaGrange says the hospital is the busiest outside of Edmonton and Calgary, with the fourth highest volume of any facility run by Alberta Health Services.

The Red Deer Regional Health Foundation will be funding the capital cost, with the province allotting $3 million in startup funding from this year’s budget to cover operational costs, if passed.