The Alberta government has budgeted $1 million in its 2018-19 capital plan to develop a business case for expanding the Red Deer Regional Hospital.

In the eyes of many, the facility is in serious need of infrastructure upgrades with many programs and services operating at or beyond capacity. Funding the business case is a first step to that end.

“This is positive news. We were very pleased that the government, Minister (Sarah) Hoffman (recognized) that the Red Deer Regional Hospital needs to be expanded and that’s why they’re putting the money toward this capital planning,” said Dr. Paul Hardy, a Red Deer physician who heads a non-profit society created to lobby the province on the issue.

“Having said that, there’s a long road ahead of us and we expect to work with government and AHS as hard as we can to make this happen because central Albertans deserve care close to home.”

The general surgeon had travelled to Edmonton to hear the unveiling of the provincial budget. He said expansion plans are supported by politicians of all stripes, from Red Deer-area MLAs Barb Miller and Kim Schreiner to the UCP.

“It’s a really important cause that we have to work together on,” he said.

Health Minister Sarah Hoffman said she expects three reports -- the cardiac care road map, Central Zone Health Plan and an updated needs assessment will call for hospital expansion.

"We know that Red Deer continues to grow, and central Alberta, so we expect that those reports are going to say we need to build more on the Red Deer hospital site. We don't want to wait to do that, so that's why we funded that business case money," Hoffman said.

According to Hardy, the business case will be informed by an updated needs assessment that will be completed in April and then publicized in May.

A prior needs assessment conducted in 2015 found the hospital to be short more than 100 beds and three operating rooms.

Hardy expects the updated study to show an even greater need.

“Over that period of the time, the needs have grown and therefore the need is becoming more critical that we move ahead,” he said.

However, Hoffman was non-commital on when capital funds will be budgeted.

A statement from Red Deer mayor Tara Veer was tepid on Thursday's budget.

"This is a small step in the right direction, but our community efforts are not yet finished because capital dollars for the expansion of the Red Deer Regional Hospital are not identified in the five-year plan. The study will likely recommend substantial funding, and we cannot wait five years for detailed planning or construction while we are in an emergency situation," it reads. 

The Society for Fair and Transparent Health Funding to Central Alberta is the non-profit organization that Hardy created along with fellow doctors. He said its job now will be to keep the issue top of mind.

Advocacy has taken place in different forms across the region over the last year. In September, hundreds gathered at the Red Deer Memorial Centre for a rally demanding facility upgrades. In council chambers, more than a dozen municipalities have signed letters requesting the province to put the hospital back on the AHS capital priority list.

However, Hardy believes it was the strength of their arguments that won out.

“We had good data and good reasons for making the arguments we’ve made. Although it played a role, we think the need of central Albertans is what is playing a very big role in moving this forward.”