Macleans published a list of the top 100 cities in Canada to retire in and Red Deer was not on the list. One of the criteria is access to health care. Apparently we rate pretty low in that category.
This is a provincial jurisdiction but some candidates are weighing in on this issue. One talks about how the hospital is always under renovation. The new parkade has come under fire for different reasons. Two suggests building a second hospital altogether, having 2 separate hospitals.
Access to timely treatment and surgery is a common issue. Another common complaint is the need to leave the city for surgery, see a specialist or for assisted living.
Seniors and others who cannot live on their own, take up a hospital bed awaiting a home in an assisted living facility. There are many stories of long-time residents spending their final years in Innisfail, Stettler and Rimbey to name but a few. Creating hardships for family and spouses remaining in Red Deer.
No wonder we did not make the list of top 100 cities to retire in.
What do some of the candidates say;
Tara Veer on the Red Deer Regional Hospital
Even though Hospital infrastructure is completely under the decision-making jurisdiction of the Provincial Government, the needs of our community are a priority for the City. There are numerous examples over the past four years of the City strongly advocating to the Provincial Government to fulfill our local provincial infrastructure needs; The Hospital is one of them and most certainly will continue to be a priority until we secure the expansion of the Red Deer Regional Hospital.
Mayor Veer has spoken and/or written substantially on this issue and this latest excerpt on Todayville.com; “I have also met and spoken with our local MLA’s and the Minister of Health regarding our community’s expectations regarding Hospital infrastructure on multiple occasions. If citizens of Red Deer would like to add their voice to our community and Council’s advocacy efforts, we encourage citizens to contact the Minister of Health and your local MLA (Kim Schreiner or Barb Miller if you live in Red Deer).”

Ken Johnston
I am meeting with our MLA’s tomorrow as have been through meetings with the Doctor group, the Foundation, private donors and AHS. I can’t speak for other candidates but that is how I am advocating for our City. Lives continue to be at risk in Red Deer and the Central Zone, I can personally attest to that. It is Capital that is needed and righting a gross inequality in Health Care spending.
Sam Bergeron
-A school and a hospital would be helpful. An elementary, middle and high school for that matter. Even a small hospital would help the north end
Lawrence Lee
We also desperately need a Regional Hospital Centre upgrade. For at least a decade we have seen the over 400,000 people that the Red Deer Regional Hospital serves not receive the same level of care that Albertans have in Edmonton and Calgary. As the province’s third largest city and a hospital that serves such a large population I will fight to support our Central Alberta region in achieving health equity and care for its residents
Michael Dawe
Having been a one time chair of the former Red Deer Regional Hospital Board knows the issues and intricacies of the hospitals would also be an informed advocate for the hospital.

I remember having very similar concerns thirty years ago and a political candidate in a federal election reminded us that we cannot have good health without a good job, money for food, a sense of security and a roof over our head. Many of these issues can be handled by city council leaving the issue of the hospital as a precursor for the provincial election of May 2019.

Red Deer can advocate for the province to step up, but there are many things the city council can do locally to ease the demand on the hospital. Let us hear from all the candidates, shall we?