Corridor between hospital and cancer centre opening April 7

A new corridor that will connect Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre (RDRHC) and the Central Alberta Cancer Centre (CACC) is scheduled to open on April 7.

The corridor, which will be accessible from the hospital’s Lower Level, will give patients uninterrupted access to the CACC during construction of the new patient tower. The new tower’s footprint will encompass the existing ambulatory annex area that patients currently use to move between the hospital and CACC in addition to the public parking lots that are closed at site.

This corridor will become the access point for patients coming to the CACC as the facility’s main entrance and the existing CACC patient drop-off/pick-up area will be closed as of 5 p.m. on April 4 to make way for construction activity.

All patient traffic to CACC will be through the new corridor going forward.

Family members or support persons bringing cancer patients to appointments can utilize the patient drop-off space outside the hospital's main entrance before accessing parking in either the underground or south parkade.

We recognize that changes in site access can be disruptive to patients, visitors and care teams alike. Steps are being taken to minimize the disruption wherever possible. This includes scheduling additional volunteers to help guide patients and assist patients with limited mobility if required. Wheelchairs are in the main and east entrance of RDRHC and the main and lower levels of CACC, and in the underground parkade. Wheelchairs will be regularly collected and returned to these locations to be available for patients and/or family visitors.

Wayfinding materials like maps and signage have also been updated, and volunteers will help provide reception support for patients utilizing the corridor following its opening.