Victoria Hospital expansion hits 1 million worker hours in Prince Albert 

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“Reaching one million worker hours is a major achievement and reflects the skill, hard work and dedication of everyone on this project,” Selinger said. 

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Victoria Hospital expansion hits 1 million worker hours in Prince Albert

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Shawn Phaneuf, executive director of acute care for northeast Saskatchewan with the Saskatchewan Health Authority, said the expansion is expected to improve access to care closer to home for patients across northern and central parts of the province. 

“The impact it will have on patients and families in Prince Albert and northern and central Saskatchewan once completed cannot be overstated,” Phaneuf said. “This means reduced need to travel long distances to access care, shorter wait times and overall improved patient outcomes and experience.” 

On Wednesday, the opposition NDP criticized the government, suggesting the province has no clear plan to staff the hospital expansion when it’s completed. However, Phaneuf said planning for staffing began shortly after the expansion was announced and has involved the Ministry of Health, the Saskatchewan Health Authority and the Prince Albert Grand Council. He said the operational model for the expanded hospital is expected to require more than 500 full-time equivalent positions, with some early hiring already underway. 

The project includes expanded operating room capacity as well as more neonatal intensive care and intensive care beds, changes health officials said will help increase efficiency and expand services for residents in the region.

As part of the celebration of hours completed, workers were invited to sign the elevator hoist beam.

Currently, the work being done includes completing external framing and cladding, civil site works and interior construction and the mechanical and electrical work.

By the time the job is done, 23,000 cubic metres of concrete will have been poured, which equals about nine Olympic-sized swimming pools. About 1,300 kilometres of wiring and 75 kilometres of piping will also be installed.

(Image Credit: Susan McNeil/paNOW)

The expansion should be finished in spring of 2028.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com