Today ó Tuesday, March 7 ó marks the inaugural Sundre Hospital Appreciation Day.
A request for the municipality to officially recognize the effort that went into saving long-term care beds as well as the ongoing work that continues every day to ensure residents have quality medical services was recently presented to council in the form of a letter written by Gerald Ingeveld, the Sundre Hospital Futures Committee's chair.
On this day last year, Alberta Health Services had announced to hospital staff and family members the provincial health authority's intention to close the facility's 15 long-term care beds, he wrote.
"It was an awful day for everyone who witnessed it," recalled Ingeveld in his letter to council.
"But it also triggered an amazing response from the community that achieved results beyond our wildest imaginings," he wrote in reference to AHS eventually reversing its decision and agreeing to a compromise that retained five long-term care beds with the introduction of new levels of care in an ongoing pilot project.
"We would like to keep the momentum rolling, and never again become complacent as a community when it comes to our hospital and staff."
Additionally, the appreciation day is intended to also recognize the committed medical staff who diligently dedicate themselves to the facility.
"With changes to care models in our hospital ó along with all that goes with the job ó our hospital staff are regularly asked to go over and above. Although we all appreciate what they do, we don't always show it. By declaring ëSundre Hospital Appreciation Day' we will encourage our community to show their appreciation to hospital staff, and support for our hospital."
Council without hesitation unanimously carried a motion during its Feb. 21 meeting to declare March 7 Sundre Hospital Appreciation Day.
Residents are encouraged to recognize and show appreciation to the hospital's staff either by offering cards and letters, personal words of gratitude or even social media posts, Ingeveld wrote.
"We will also encourage everyone to contact our political leaders to let them know we support the construction of a new hospital."
