Family medicine beds at University of Alberta Hospital will be moved to Leduc, officials say

Alberta Health Services confirmed that 21 of 42 family medicine beds at the University of Alberta Hospital will be relocated to Leduc, and the provincial government has ordered a public fatality inquiry into a recent emergency department death.

Alberta Health Services confirmed the planned relocation of 21 of the 42 family medicine beds at the University of Alberta Hospital in Edmonton to Leduc Community Hospital. Physicians working on the family medicine units warned that closing beds could strain the health system and affect patient care; they did not attach names to their statement citing fear of reprisals. AHS said the beds will be moved to make room for a neurosciences intensive care unit, a plan first announced in 2018, and that no bed loss is anticipated when the move is complete. The Alberta government also announced a public fatality inquiry into the death of a man who spent eight hours in an Edmonton emergency department in late December. Key details: - Alberta Health Services confirmed 21 of 42 family medicine beds will be relocated from the University of Alberta Hospital to Leduc Community Hospital. - Physicians on the units reported concerns that the change will increase pressure on emergency departments and affect patient care; their joint statement was unsigned. - AHS says the relocation is to accommodate a planned neurosciences intensive care unit and that there is no anticipated bed loss associated with the move. - The provincial government has ordered a public fatality inquiry into the death of Prashant Sreekumar; a provincial judge will review the case and issue public findings and possible recommendations. Summary: Physicians and Alberta Health Services disagree on whether the relocation will reduce capacity or affect care, and emergency departments are reported to be under strain during the current respiratory virus season. A provincial judge will carry out a public fatality inquiry into the recent emergency department death; broader system outcomes from the bed move are undetermined at this time.