Central Albertans will have a chance this weekend to voice their opinions on the state of the Red Deer Regional Hospital, which Central Alberta Needs Cardiac Catheterization deems critical.

The group is hosting the Central Alberta Hospital Rally Sunday afternoon and will share information regarding the ongoing plans for expansion.

Surgeon Pall Hardy has been working in Central Alberta for the past 20 years and said although he’s seen a lot of change over the years; there hasn’t been enough growth in infrastructure.

“In Red Deer Regional, the hospital is on over capacity probably more often than it is not. Surgeries are cancelled, our waitlists are the longest in the province for elective surgery and that is despite the fact that people are either deciding or are being referred to Edmonton and Calgary.”

“So not only are our waitlists the longest, but people aren’t getting their surgeries close to home.”

He added tax dollars should be spent on care that is close to home, which is another reason an expansion is necessary. He’s hoping another rally will help.

“We want to build our base so that we have more people who are keeping track of what’s going on because ultimately it’s the number of people in the public who are interested in advocating that will convince the Government and AHS of what we already know that this expansion is long overdue.”

“A decision needs to made.”

The rally takes place from 2-5 in the Red Deer Memorial Centre parking lot. Everyone is welcome.