Royal Alexandra Hospital is a major medical centre in Edmonton that has provided care not just for Albertans, but for a third of the country’s population for over a century. Annually, the hospital sees more than 500,000 patients. Here, a wide range of high-level services is offered—from mental health care to obstetrics and gynecology. In this article, we’ll explore the history of this medical institution. More at iedmonton.net.
Early Days
The Royal Alexandra Hospital was founded in 1899 as a municipal general hospital and was Edmonton’s first. Initially, it had space for only 25 patients. The hospital was operated by the Ladies Hospital Aid Society.
By 1912, a new, modern building was unveiled at a cost of $150,000, expanding capacity to 150 beds. This was a significant event for a city in need of such a facility. As before, the new hospital’s construction was municipally funded, while its equipment was financed by the Ladies Hospital Aid Society. The hospital boasted an X-ray suite, a disinfection room, an emergency entrance, administrative offices, a maternity ward, a dining hall, patient wards, and contemporary operating theatres. Hundreds of people watched the opening ceremony. An additional 100 beds were added in 1922 through the construction of an isolation hospital.
The Ladies Hospital Aid Society continued for years to raise funds for the hospital and to provide necessary supplies for both the facility and its patients. Over time, the society founded a hospital endowment fund.
Constructing “Royal Alex” and Expanding the Hospital
In 1959, across from Royal Alexandra Hospital, a new complex simply called “Royal Alex” began construction at a cost of $9 million. This complex was designed to house 600 beds. The two facilities were connected by an underground passage, so after its completion in 1963, patients were transferred from the older building to the new one via this tunnel. The complex quickly expanded, and by 1969 it had grown to 924 beds.
The Hospital Today
Today’s Royal Alexandra Hospital houses four major centres. The first is the Alberta Eye Institute, which focuses on research and treatment for a wide range of ophthalmological conditions, serving patients from across Western Canada and the northern territories.
The second is the Heart Centre, specializing in neurosurgical treatment of ischemic heart disease and interventional cardiology. It also runs progressive programs aimed at preventing and stabilizing heart conditions.
The third is an orthopedic surgery centre performing hip and knee replacements. It handles about 4,000 such surgeries each year.
The fourth is the Lois Hole Hospital for Women—Alberta’s only women’s hospital. It offers high-risk obstetric and maternal services, with more than 7,500 babies delivered annually. This hospital is home to Canada’s first Da Vinci surgical robot, which uses a minimally invasive approach.
The hospital also features numerous specialized clinics, including ones dedicated to treating oncology patients, individuals with neurological disorders, and more. It actively engages in medical research across various fields, further advancing scientific knowledge. Royal Alexandra Hospital serves as a major hub for training medical students and interns throughout the region.
In summary, Royal Alexandra Hospital stands as a vital institution not only for the city’s healthcare infrastructure but for the entire country, equipped with a robust framework to combat a wide range of illnesses.