Health Services

Drayton Valley Health Centre
The Hospital currently has 34 acute care beds and 50 long-term care beds, with medical services provided by a 14-physician staff. The hospital provides service to Drayton Valley, Brazeau County and the surrounding communities of Alder Flats, Alsike, Breton, Buck Creek, Buck Lake, Cynthia, Lodgepole, Rocky Rapids and Winfield—a total population of 23,000.

Physicians interested in working in Drayton Valley should check the RPAP physician recruitment website for opportunities. The International Qualifications Assessment Service website compares educational qualifications from other countries to provincial educational standards.

The Drayton Valley Hospital offers a full range of clinical services to the community and is proud to offer the following special services:

Dialysis Unit
The Satellite Dialysis Unit, in partnership with the University of Alberta and the Northern Alberta Renal Program, is housed in the Acute Care area. Residents of the Drayton Valley community have been well served by this outreach program for many years. In August, 2003, Capital Health expanded this program and the chair capacity doubled to four.

Diabetes Education
The facility is fortunate to have a certified diabetes education team on site that provides support to both in- and out-patients.

Community Cancer Centre
In partnership with the Alberta Cancer Board, a Community Cancer Centre was formed in the Drayton Valley Hospital. This centre offers increasingly complex chemotherapy to clients living with cancer by specially trained physicians and registered nurses.

Operating Room Services
With the onset of regionalization in 1995, OR services were expanded to accommodate specialists who would visit the facility on a regular basis to provide surgery. This expansion also included purchasing laparoscopic equipment, which was supported through the financial assistance of the Drayton Valley Health Services Foundation.

TeleHealth
In the early ‘90s, Telepsychiatry was introduced. This program has been well received in the community. Since that time, our Telehealth services have been expanded to include speech therapy, poison control, Teleradiology and a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit project with the University of Alberta. We will also have the ability for Teleultrasound in the near future. The hospital currently houses portable Telehealth equipment in the trauma room that can be transported to other areas if required, including the Special Care Unit. In conjunction with clinical services, TeleHealth is also used for administration and education purposes. There is a great deal of potential for expansion with this equipment.

Serenity House
Serenity House provides care for up to 12 individuals with early-to mid-stage dementia. They strive to provide an environment in which residents can feel comfortable. The beautiful bungalow is situated on a hilltop, near all the essential amenities in Drayton Valley. Private rooms are fully-furnished. Residents can bring their own furnishing, if they like, and visitors are welcome. Two Residential Support Workers are on duty 24 hours a day. For more information on Serenity House, contact the Community Care Manager.
Valerie Larsen: 780-621-4862

Supportive Housing
Supportive housing is an alternative living arrangement for the elderly and/or physically challenged. Its purpose is to retain the resident’s independence, while allowing them the comfort of living next to a hospital. The housing units are on the ground floor. Residents are offered security and maintenance in exchange for a monthly condo fee. The units are designed specifically for seniors and the physically challenged, and they can be individually adapted to meet the resident’s specific needs. A barrier-free design has been incorporated throughout the units, offering extra space for wheelchair mobility and walk-in showers.

For further information, contact the Supportive Housing Coordinator.
Carmell Fredrickson: 780-696-4701 or 780-514-1065.

Did You Know?
A Safe Community Model was completed and adopted in 2003.

Medical Clinics
Privately owned and operated clinics can be found in our Business Directory, including chiropractors, dentists and denturists, eye doctors/opticians, massage therapists, physiotherapists and veterinarians. Pharmacies and drug stores are also listed.

Drayton Valley Health Services Foundation
Since 1995, the Drayton Valley Health Services Foundation has accepted donations to improve patient comfort and to purchase medical equipment for local access.

The goal of the foundation is to improve local health services within our community. Past donations have provided patient care and comfort items for the Drayton Valley and Breton Health Centres. Serenity House and the Community Cancer Centre have also benefited through donor generosity.

Donations continue to assist us in improving local health services. One of the easiest and most meaningful ways to impact the foundation is to make a provision for it in your will.

For inquiries or further information regarding current fund-raising initiatives, contact the Fund Development Officer.

Colleen S. Sekura: 780-621-4914 or 898-4914
E-mail: csekura@dthr.ab.ca

Why donate?

• 100% of your donation remains in our community to improve health services
• Donate through cash, cheque, money order, gifts in kind or bequests from a will/estate
• A tax deductible receipt is issued for donations
• Donors may choose to designate their donation to a specific hospital department or a specific item, with approval
• Improving our local health services directly impacts our patients through improved comfort levels and a reduction of time, stress, out-of-town travel and extra expenses for patients and their families
• Your donations allow the purchase of patient comfort items or specialty equipment not otherwise available, which benefit anyone who accesses Breton Health Centre or Drayton Valley Hospital and Health Centre for health care services
• Donations may be made “In Memory of” your loved one. You can build their legacy towards supporting and enhancing health services
• Donations may be made at the admitting desk of the Drayton Valley Hospital and Health Centre and the Breton Health Centre

Fitness Centres
Total Works Health and Fitness Centre
Located in the Omniplex at 5737 – 45th Ave
Phone: 780-514-2234
Hours of Operation: Open seven days a week from 6 am to 10 pm on weekdays, 8 am to 8 pm on weekends.

The Total Works Health and Fitness Centre is a three-level centre offering cardio and weight-training equipment, squash and racquetball courts, a massage clinic, tanning beds, spinning classes, childcare services and personal fitness consultations.

Privately-owned and-operated fitness centres can be found in our Business Directory.