The Cochrane and Area Health Foundation (CAHF) has been joined by Mayor Jeff Genung in the push to determine what it will take to expand the hours of the Cochrane Urgent Care Centre.
CAHF chair Brian Winter says that beyond mentioning there is an urgent care facility in Cochrane, Health Minister Adriana LaGrange did not address the town’s needs in her March 30 announcement on additional and modernized urgent care centres in the province.
"Some of the other urgent care centres in Alberta are getting upgrades, but there is nothing for Cochrane. Not a thing. We're not even on the radar, which was very disappointing to me as chair, so we need to keep our foot on the gas," Winter says.
They are asking health officials what criteria must be met for Cochrane to receive 24/7 urgent care, especially given the rapid growth in the area. They are gathering facts and statistics to prepare for a major push.
Currently, the centre operates from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
"What's happening from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. hourly? What kinds of calls are happening during that time, and how many people from Cochrane are seen after 10 p.m. at different facilities in Calgary or Canmore?"
Winter estimates as many as 70,000 people rely on the urgent care centre, including residents of Cochrane, Rocky View County, the Stoney Nakoda Nation, and the Cremona area.
"We've got to let people know—especially the politicians and the people holding the purse strings—that we're not a small town anymore."
Airdrie had a population of about 60,000 when its urgent care centre expanded to 24/7 coverage.
Winter says Genung is also working to get answers.
"He's had some meetings, and he's having more. He's going to ask point-blank what it will take for the Cochrane Urgent Care Centre to be open 24/7," Winter says.
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While they continue to fight, Winter says it's important to widely publicize the current hours of operation at the urgent care centre.
There has been a public outcry since four-year-old Everest Velasco-Raralio died of respiratory complications on October 28. Her father brought her to the urgent care centre, only to find it closed. Her parents believe the lack of immediate medical care contributed to her death.
CAHF Chair Winter and Vice-Chair Dennis Fundytus interviewed the young girl’s father and local first responders to understand the circumstances.
"It's a tragic event, and we want to work closely with AHS to improve health care in Cochrane and determine the next steps," Winter said in an interview in early January.