Alberta neonatal intensive care units still under strain, doctors warn – CBC

AHS says it has added 21 beds with final few opening this fall

Sep 18, 2025

Some Alberta physicians say the province’s neonatal intensive care units continue to struggle, often operating over what they consider safe capacity levels.

Doctors spoke out last year, calling the situation a “crisis” and urging the provincial government to take swift action.

While both the province and Alberta Health Services say they’re taking key steps to address the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) pressures, frontline workers counter more work is needed to relieve the strain as the population grows.

“It’s a very stressful place to work these days,” said Dr. Amber Reichert, a neonatologist in Edmonton.

“I am worried about how we’re going to approach the coming winter months, recognizing people get sick in the winter.”

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-nicu-pressure-1.7635397