The volunteer-based Sylvan Lake & Area Urgent Care Committee has released its 2024 Report to the Community.
The mission of the committee is to raise funds to purchase medical equipment and services for the Advanced Ambulatory Care Service (AACS).
Since opening in 2018, Sylvan Lake’s AACS has offered diagnosis and treatment of urgent but non-life-threatening conditions.
Last year, 20,247 patients were seen through the Advanced Ambulatory Care Service. High demand may require the pause of new admissions in order to be able to appropriately see, and treat, all existing patients before the end of the night.
Individuals wondering whether the service remains open can call 403-877-2241.
"We continue our efforts to secure additional supports for the Service through ongoing physician recruitment efforts, and by integrating additional skills like those of Nurse Practitioners, into the Service mix to help maintain regular service hours and provide timely care to the community," stated the report. "With support from the community and partners like the Healthcare Attraction and Retention Committee, recruitment efforts have brought multiple new care providers to the community, with additional new physicians expected to arrive in 2025."
Last year, community donors and the Sylvan Lake and Area Urgent Care Committee helped fund the purchase of three new treatment chairs for a total value of $18,860.29.
Fundraising in 2024 WinWin:
- Alberta Health Services employees participated in a payroll 50/50 draw with half the proceeds go to the healthcare facility of their choosing. In 2024, $46,095.06 was received from WinWin.
Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign:
- The weeklong campaign in May raised $20,124.61 earmarked for the purchase of medical equipment for the AACS. Approximately 160 local volunteers donated a total of 75 hours to promote Smile Cookie sales.
Sylvan Lake Lions Golf Tournament:
- The Lions golf tournament was another success with 92 golfers participating. $4000.00 of the proceeds were donated to the Urgent Care Committee. 2025 Golf tournament will be held on July 11, 2025.
Sylvan Lake Dominos Pizza:
- Raising the Dough is a new partnership with the Urgent Care Committee and a local Sylvan Lake business Dominos Pizza. $2,000 was raised from Pizza sales during the Fall.
Sylvan Lake Ladies Legion Auxiliary:
- $2,500 was donated by the Ladies Legion and will be spent on medical equipment for the AACS.
Individual Donations:
- In 2024 the committee received $4,450.70 from individuals. All donations over $20 receive a tax receipt.
The Healthcare Attraction and Retention Committee works closely with Alberta Health Services and the Rural Health Professions Action Plan (RhPAP) to attract and retain health professionals to the community. In 2023/2024 this volunteer-based committee supported 6 family physicians that relocated to Sylvan Lake. Each family doctor has committed to stay in Sylvan Lake for 5 years, practice in a Sylvan Lake Doctor’s clinic and take regular shifts at the AACS. The work of HART is funded by the Urgent Care Committee.
The Town of Sylvan Lake, Bentley, the 5 Summer Villages at Sylvan Lake and the Counties of Red Deer and Lacombe have agreed to be part of the Sylvan Lake Regional Health Foundation.
The community involvement of both local and regional partners will ensure ongoing support and enhancement of the AACS.
"At this time, we have paused our action steps in creating the new Health Foundation until the role of Health Foundations is better understood under the refocused health system. We hope to move forward again later this year. In the meantime, it will be business as usual under the existing Urgent Care Committee," stated the report.
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