1

Bentley Hospital, 1932
1932
Bentley, Alberta


Credits:
Bentley Museum Society
Glenbow Archives

2

Opening Bentley Hospital - Oct. 1932
October, 1932
Bentley, Alberta


Credits:
Bentley museum Society

3

Bentley Municipal Hospital District # 43
Mid 1900's
Bentley, Alberta


Credits:
Bentley Museum Society

4

Bentley Care Centre - 2005
2005
Bentley, Alberta


Credits:
Bentley Museum Society

5

Medical Services
Prior to 1907, Bentley’s Medical Services were served by a registered nurse and several local ladies who were practical nurses. In 1907 Dr. Evans opened a practice and a drug store. Dr. Henry arrived in 1924 and opened a hospital on the south side of 50th Avenue. He was assisted by Nurse Curtis. The first Bentley Hospital was built in 1932. In 1950 this building was renovated and an addition was also added making it twice the size. This new building was officially opened on October 11, 1950.
In 1970 the name of the hospital was changed to Bentley General Hospital.
In May, 1981, construction began on a new Prototypical hospital containing 10 acute care beds and an emergency department. The hospital was completed the following year.
In 1995, the hospital became part of the David Thompson Regional Health Authority, and operated as a active and long term care facility. This combination did not work well and in the late 1990’s the facility was changed to a 15 bed long term care facility, Bentley Care Centre.
The Bentley Care Centre has one respite bed used by people cared for at home for short stays to give their caregivers a break. A Doctor’s clinic operates part time out of the Bentley Care Centre.
In 2009, the Regional Health Care Boards were all dissolved and the care centres were operated under one department of the provincial government.
In 2005, the cost to live in this long term facility was $48.30 per day for a private room. This covers all the medications, therapeutic needs as well as food and lodgings. All of the rooms in the Bentley Care Centre are private rooms. In 2010, the cost per day of a private room is $54.25.
The Bentley Hospital and Bentley Care Centre have had a Ladies Auxiliary organization, an important direct link between hospital and community. The original Hospital Auxiliary was formed in 1926 by a group of volunteers who sewed liners, made surgical supplies, and raised funds for the hospital. The service has carried on through the years according to need. Presently their objectives are fund-raising, education, volunteer services and public relations to enhance the life of Long Term Care Residents.
Over the years the Bentley community service clubs and numerous individuals have all played a part in contributing financially and providing equipment and services to Bentley’s medical needs.

6

BENTLEY’S FIRST HOSPITAL
4806 MCPHERSON AVENUE

In 1922 this residence became nurse Daizy Curtis private hospital where she gave very positive, efficient care serving three patient beds and an operating room. Dr. Locke from Lacombe provided medical care. It was here, the young doctor delivered his first maternity cases. Norva (Hutton) Landry was born here. Her uncle Blaine Hutton was hauling pigs to the pool when he heard the news of the arrival of his new niece and came immediately to the hospital to see her. But NO! nurse Curtis would not allow him inside the door contaminating her hospital with hog odor. Daizy Curtis eventually married Blaine Hutton after a 23 year courtship. The hospitl moved to larger quarters. The building reverted back to a residence.

BENTLEY’S SECOND HOSPITAL
4817 McPherson Avenue

In 1926 this residence became the second hospital in Bentley. It was rented and equipped by the newly formed seven-man hospital board from Jesse and Mary Evernden who had put in a furnace, running water and a bathroom. Percy Thorp was the first chairman of the board. Dr.
W. A. Henry was the medical director. Maternity fees were $23.00 per case plus $3.00 per day for the usual nine day stay in one of the four beds. Times were tough. In one reported incidence the matron refused to discharge a new mother and her baby until the bill was paid. Cooler heads prevailed however and the family was happily reunited. By 1932 this building again became a family residence sheltering many different families through the year.

BENTLEY GENERAL HOSPITAL
4834 ALBERTA AVENUE & VIG STREET
BUILT IN 1932

Bentley Community Hospital was constructed with volunteer labour and financed by a $4000.00 grant. It housed ten patient beds, an operating and case room. Medical care was delivered by Dr. William Henry and Matron M. Brown with a staff of three nurses, a cook and helper, whose duties included housekeeping, janitorial and gardening. Living quarters were on the second floor. The fire escape was a ladder reaching up to a bedroom window. Medical instruments were sterilized by boiling in a wash boiler on the kitchen stove. Another copper boiler heated with an electric light bulb served as the newborn incubator. Pneumonia patients were put on the veranda for fresh air and treated with Old Par whiskey, honey and lemon juice. Infected wounds were cleansed with maggots. In 1949, the new east wing increased bed capacity to 18 and added on an x-ray, lab and a medical records department. Dr. S. Weaver was the medical practitioner and Mrs, M. Greene was matron. This building with Patricia Wilton, R.N. as the last serving director of nursing, was demolished in 1981 when it was replaced by the one story brick structure, a part of the David Thompson Health Region.