Provincial hospital investments include more ICU beds in southern Alberta

Posted on March 12, 2026 by admin

Southern Alberta Newspapers

Alberta’s Government has promised to create additional intensive care beds in Medicine Hat and Lethbridge as part of Budget 2026.

This funding is part of a larger investment in the South zone, which would, if passed, mean a $59-million, three-year commitment to help “advance cardiac care in Lethbridge with a new catheterization lab and expand intensive care and diagnostic capacity at Chinook Regional Hospital and Medicine Hat Regional Hospital,” said the province.

The South zone Cardiac and Intensive Care Expansion project would move from the planning stage toward construction, as well as up to 54 intensive care beds at Chinook Regional Hospital as part of the funding, subject to final design and construction outcomes.

“Strengthening cardiac and intensive care services in southern Alberta ensures more patients have specialized care closer to home, supporting better patient outcomes in the process,” said Minister of Hospital and Surgical Health Services Matt Jones.

This announcement builds on initial funding in April 2025, which promised $5 million for advance planning and functional programming for cardiac services and intensive care capacity in southern Alberta.

It is the aim of the proposed funding to allow for more patients to receive the care they need close to home, as opposed to requiring a trip to Calgary for vital services.

“Lethbridge and Medicine Hat play a vital role as regional centres supporting rural and remote communities across the South zone,” said parliamentary secretary for rural health Justin Wright. “Investing in cardiac and intensive care capacity at these sites strengthens regional infrastructure and helps ensure the broader health system remains stable and sustainable.”