As told by Iris Evans, MLA for Sherwood Park, there would be no patient beds included in the construction of the Phase 1 of a new hospital and the inhabitants of Strathcona County should not be amazed at this announcement.

A week before, county council came to know from Alberta Health Services that the new Sherwood Park hospital would not have beds to serve births, surgeries, intensive-care cases or overnight stays.

The project was commenced in May and at that time, Evan announced that at first, emergency department will be set up that would cater to people with broken bones and cuts, and stroke or heart-attack patients. Other than this, the facility will also accommodate laboratory services, a pharmacy and community and family programs.

The current agenda for the year is to make electrical and mechanical arrangements in the hospital, as stated by Evan. She added that at first, 72 beds will be added to the facility, which will later on expand to 106 beds.

Evan said, "I admit it's frustrating to anticipate that things are going to go ahead simultaneously, but similarly, this government is trying to cope during the recession with a reduced income in a responsible way”.

Adding to this, she said that if they had waited for the funds, they would not have advanced the work.