Photo by Sean Emmett

It was a monumental step forward for the Town of High River on Thursday, as the High River Hospital resumed all pre-flood health services.

Alberta's Minister of Health Fred Horne, Associate Minister of Recovery Rick Fraser, Mayor Emile Blokland, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Alberta Health Services South Brenda Huband and Hospital Chief of Staff Dr. Keith Spackman were all on hand Thursday at an event recognizing the hard work of Hospital staff.

Minister Horne says "although I can't find anyone who experienced something on the scale Alberta did this summer, I do know in terms of recovery of operations in health facilities, noone has reported such a speedy and efficient recovery of health care services as we've observed here in High River."

It was an emotional moment for Hospital Cheif of Staff Dr. Keith Spackman, who joked "the girls behind me had a Kleenex box, so I took a few out because it's very personal to me, what's happened."

Spackman paid recognition to a lot of people, most notably the nurses, saying "it was a pleasure to work with them up at the Fire Hall, at the Welcome Centre, to see their dedication, we appreciate that."

All services in the Hospital are now up and running, but the Annex building outside of the Hospital is not yet ready to open.

The full press conference from Thursday can be heard below: