Opened Sunday, July 1, 1923, as the "Provincial Mental Institute, Oliver". For many years, it was a World War I veterans hospital. The first 47 patients arrived in the summer of 1923 from the "Hospital for Returned Soldiers" in Red Deer. All 47 patients were veterans of World War I who were mostly suffering from "shell shock," now known as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The first physician caring for these veterans was Captain Dr. David L. Dick. He served with the Royal Army Medical Corps 142nd Field Ambulance in 1915-16 on the Western Front. In 1917, he was transferred to the Canadian Expeditionary Force and became Resident Medical Officer for the Strathcona Military Hospital, Edmonton. The Grand Opening was a significant event as these were veterans and the official hostess of the occasion was Bridget Velma Henderson, niece of Premier Herbert Greenfield, who later married WW I flying ace Stanley A. Puffer of the Royal Flying Corps. At the Grand Opening, luminaries in attendance included:
In August 2009 Alberta Health Services announced that it will be closing 106 of the 410 beds at the hospital. The AUPE has been strongly opposed to the closures and have staged many protests and have made several television commercials at an attempt to gain support.
Buildings
There are 45 buildings at AHE spread over. The buildings on the site were named numerically in the order in which they were built originally but now the order has no relevance. 1 Building
Originally the first dormitory
contained the apparel shop and Highwood School until closed in 2006
2 Building
Remains standing, but unused. It used to be a supplementary dormitory where numerous patients were also treated.
Storage, but is now demolished in preparation for a new Food Services building.
15 Building
Administration and HR
16 Building
Used to function as a Fire Hall when AHE had its own fire department, but has been since converted into a car wash, framing shop and bottle depot. 16 Building is run by staff but staffed by patients, who are taking part in patient programs.
17 Building
Food and Nutrition Services, decommissioned, replaced with new building 4
Main cafeteria found here
18 Building
Power plant
19 Building
Facilities management offices
20 Building
Greenhouse and RSVP gift shop
Originally patients were paid a small stipend for working in the greenhouse. However, this is no longer funded. In March 2016 a fire broke out and the building has sustained severe damage and is to be demolished. Temp greenhouse has been erected.
21 Building
Stores/Receiving
Patient Transportation
Regional Surplus
Cameron Hall
Demolished
Water Tower
Due to its height, this structure is visible throughout the Alberta Hospital site and to the outlining area.
Programs
Adult psychiatry
*CLiP provides support to psychiatric patients within the community upon discharge from the hospital
