Alberta Childrens Hospital

My 16 year old daughter is suffering greatly with enlarged tonsils and needs them out. She get throat infections constantly and is unable to function properly. Our Doctor has requested an appointment with Dr. Monica Hoy at the Alberta Children’s Hospital — twice, but they DO NOT return calls or requests for appt. I am told that since my daughter is 16 — I have NO choice but to wait for this one throat Dr. at the Children’s Hospital to get back to us for an appt. Well — this is totally unacceptable! Why should my daughter have to suffer needlessly waiting for one doctor in this entire city — when there are several Throat specialists besides Ms. Hoy. This is exactly why we need private health care. I am extremely upset and have had my limit when dealing with the Children’s Hospital. My son had to also wait one year to see a knee specialist. The Alberta Health Care system is truly broken. It’s great that it’s a beautiful and friendly facility but the service is unacceptable.

Apparently little known fact — the Alberta Children’s Hospital does see adults, when a specialist for their condition is on staff there. That’s how I first came to walk through their doors 8 years ago, & was at one point visiting three times a week. I have had numerous tests there including a brain MRI, strength tests, & enough vials of blood drawn to fuel a vampire for a few years. I receive a brown grocery bag full of meds from their pharmacy every 3 months. And I have eaten quite a few dishes in the cafeteria* while waiting for my ride.
So, I can confidently state that this is a top-​notch medical facility. Every department I have encountered has been professional and friendly, and all seem to enjoy caring for children. The equipment is fairly up to date, & the lab techs are pros at difficult blood draws. The building is fairly new, bright & cheerful, with activities for kids tucked around most corners.
(* I would not recommend this as a destination to eat, but they do have some healthy snacks, & I have liked the soup/​chili well enough when I have needed a meal)

I was a former patient at ACH, thankfully an outpatient never an impatient. I was a hyperthyroid patient and had to come here for check ups.
I wish they had made a page for ACH Calgary lab services because that’s what I love most about this entire hospital.
I had to go through routine blood tests as a teen, and I can tell you these are never easy, I can’t imagine young children who have to do that, how horrible.
Anyway, the lab at this hospital make getting blood taken as stress free as it can be, fun even. Unlike regular labs in the city where patients sit in the waiting room with nothing to do, this lab has a TV hat plays treehouse and videos games to reduce the kids anxiety before the poke. The waiting room is decorated the kids drawings on a yellow painted wall.
this lab doesn’t have an appointment service, but even during busy times, the wait doesn’t exceed 30 min. If you take your kids in the morning, there is likely no line, and you will be seen as soon as a tech is available, and they are well staffed.
now in the blood test rooms, the chairs are either red or blue, unlike the black ones at regular labs. The walls are decorated with stickers. The techs will wear transparent gloves, which may be less scary to kids than the blue medical ones or white latex. They will always use butterfly needles, which are small and less daunting than the green syringes at regular labs. The techs will be very gentle and patient, guaranteed.
best of all, kids will get a fun ban aid afterwards, unlike the white tape you get at adult labs. Younger kids will get a sticker or two.
All in all, I am disappointed that I’m too old for this lab, it’s for kids only, so parents, you can’t get their service even if you accompany your kids and have your own lab request, sorry. Parents who live in the northwest, I strongly recommend you take your kids there instead of a regular lab, only downer is that they’re only open on weekdays from 8 – 4:30.
maybe we should all donate to Calgary lab services so that they can open more pediatric labs like this, the kids need them for sure!
and for parents who are going there for the first time, it’s on the third floor straight across from the elevators.

Of all the hospitals you want to be inviting this one needs to be in order to help calm the mini humans. Children should never be sick or in pain but still it happens. The hospital has bright and fun walls. Each floor is as cheery looking as the next. As an adult that has to get poked and tested a lot I get treated just as well as the children.
I love that many of the waiting rooms have toys and video games for the kids. Anything to make a sick/​hurt child feel more comfortable. The nurses and doctors all seem to enjoy their jobs which makes a big difference in service.
I’m just happy that the mini humans have a place to go that is suited to their needs and happiness levels as much as can be in those situations.
April underdog challenge ²⁄₃₀

First (and only) time parent. Had to take my son there last year after receiving an injury at his daycare. The wait was long, parking is expensive, but it is an environment for kids. Nurse David was amazing with my son.

No parent wants to end up at the Children’s Hospital and we were no exception to that. Our daughter spent a week in the ICU and the Alberta Children’s Hospital gave my husband and I a room to stay in so we didn’t have to drive back and fourth from the hospital everyday which was great because we were stressed, tired and probably shouldn’t have been driving anyway.
Throughout our stay we met with many teams — infectious diseases, neurology, the liver people, cardiology, etc — and all of them seemed like they were giving our daughter 100% of their attention to help her get better. Unfortunately our story has a sad ending and our daughter didn’t pull through her illness but even then the hospital accommodated us and our needs. They had a room with a sitting area and a pull out bed so our extended family could come say their goodbyes and the nurses made hand & footprints of her so we had something to remember her by. The nurses and doctors all cried with us while she passed.
Losing your child is one of the hardest things EVER but the Alberta Children’s Hospital did absolutely everything they could for her, and for us and our family, during our stay.
If you ever end up at the Alberta Children’s Hospital (and I really hope you never have to go there) you are in great hands.

I am not a parent. The only reason that I’ve had to go to the Children’s Hospital is for meetings, thank goodness. Alberta Health Services (AHS) holds many information sessions at this hospital and my most recent visit involved accompanying a client to an orientation for Self Managed Care. I just want to comment on how great the venue is. It couldn’t be more clean and the staff were very well dressed and professional. The conference rooms are well lit with decent seating. The waiting and lounging areas have massive windows and great west facing views. I stood in front of the giant fish tank on the main floor by the cafeteria for probably 10 minutes, just gazing at the beautiful fish.
The only downside, hence the three star rating, is the parking fees. I had to pay over $ 10 for less than 3hrs of parking and it was a weekday evening. I just find it disappointing that AHS charges such high parking rates, particularly to people who are in crisis and/​or have low income. If free parking within walking distance does exist, I haven’t made time to find it.
¹⁵⁄₃₀ for Unilocal’s 30 Day Challenge