Expanded kidney clinic and hemodialysis unit opens in Lethbridge

The Alberta government has invested $23.4 million into expanding life-saving kidney care at Lethbridge’s Chinook Regional Hospital. The new hemodialysis unit at Chinook has recently opened new treatment centres that increase their weekly capacity by 25% and support up to 180 patients each week.

It will also provide education, training and support for patients who prefer receiving dialysis at home. Alberta leads the nation in home dialysis, with 33 per cent of patients starting home dialysis within three months of beginning treatment. The national average is 23%.

Advanced kidney diseases have also risen 20% in the last five years.

The new clinic at Chinook Regional Hospital are part of the province’s continued investment into expanding healthcare services in southern Alberta. Additional investments include $59 million over three years to enhance cardiac services at Chinook Regional Hospital and Medicine Hat Regional Hospital, as well as $74 million over three years to develop a new health centre in Cardston.