Capital Plan — Health facilities and equipment

Health capital spending will rise to $2.9 billion from $1.7 billion (a 74 per cent increase).

The three-year plan includes $2.5 billion for health facilities projects that, once completed, will add an estimated 2,000 new beds in the following centres:

• Calgary (Calgary South Hospital, Foothills Medical Centre, Peter Lougheed Centre, Alberta Bone and Joint Institute and Rockyview General Hospital)
• Edmonton (Health Sciences Ambulatory Learning Centre, the Royal Alexandra Hospital and the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute)
• Lethbridge
• Edson
• Barrhead
• Viking
• High Prairie
• Sherwood Park
• Fort Saskatchewan

As well, $309 million will be allocated for health information systems, including the Electronic Health Record (Alberta Netcare) and diagnostic imaging.