Image: Group Photo of Mission Health Care Auxiliary, FVHCF Foundation board and staff, Fraser Health staff and Able Innovations staff pose with the ALTA. (Image Credit: FVHCF / Provided)

By Alyssa Conti

ALTA PLATFORM

Mission hospital now 2nd hospital to receive robotic patient transfer device in B.C.

Jan 23, 2026 | 8:19 AM

MISSION — Mission Memorial Hospital has now received a new piece of equipment to help patients unable to move from their bed – the second hospital in B.C. to acquire one.

The Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation (FVHCF) has led a joint initiative to acquire an ALTA Platform for the Mission hospital. 

“Rural facilities face immense and growing challenges. With the ALTA we hope to play our part in providing sustainability by empowering front-line staff while creating efficiency and providing enhanced overall experience for patients,” said Jayiesh Singh, CEO of Able Innovations.

The robotic patient transfer device uses A.I. to assist with moving a patient between platforms, such as beds, imaging tables or stretchers.

“Imagine you have an elderly or injured patient laying on their back,” said Dr. Andrew Edelson, a recently retired Mission doctor who initially pitched the idea to the FVHCF.

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“Perhaps they have broken limbs or had a stroke. You need to move them from a stretcher to an X-ray table and then into their bed. You need 2-4 attendants to move them across a 4-6 foot space.”

With the ALTA, Dr. Edelson added that staff injuries and patient pain would be reduced, while staff would be able to attend to other duties by pulling fewer people away each time a patient needed to be transferred. 

“It should make the job of staff easier and faster and will soon pay for itself,” he said.

Money raised from The Cottage Thrift Store and the hospital gift shop also helped fund the equipment.

The Mission Health Care Auxiliary, the community of Mission and Fraser Health have all chipped in on the initiative.