Alberta Health Services has announced that the Lacombe hospital will undergo a $3.1-million facelift starting this fall.

Renovations include a new waiting room, co-location of triage and admitting areas, and barrier-free public washrooms.

According to Sherie Allen, senior operating officer of the north end of AHS’ Central Zone, changes will help staff deliver care more efficiently by improving patient flow.

“We are really working hard to make sure the renovations work from a flow perspective so that staff aren’t running around to various places having to get things because we don’t have proper storage, or we can’t help a patient (appropriately) because we don’t have barrier-free rooms,” Allen said.

Construction starts this fall but how long it takes to finish will depend on whether the project is done all at once or in phases.

AHS says the emergency department will remain open during construction.

“We just need to evaluate to make sure that we don’t affect the way the facility is running,” Allen said. “It’s a very busy facility and we want to make sure we can maintain the level of function.”

Cost will be shared with the Lacombe Health Trust, which has pledged $1.3 million for new equipment, construction costs and a donor recognition display.

The Lacombe hospital serves about 22,000 people living in Lacombe and surrounding areas.