Emergency Department Interruption
Smoky Lake Healthcare Centre Emergency Department Interruption
There will be no physician on site in the emergency department at the Smoky Lake – George McDougall Healthcare Centre for 24 hours Aug. 31 at 8 a.m. – Sept. 1 at 8 a.m.
This is due to physician vacancies and an inability to secure locum coverage. The emergency department closure may not occur if coverage is secured.
This is a temporary measure and AHS is working hard to ensure local residents continue to have access to the care they need during this time.
Nursing staff will remain on site in the emergency department providing triage and assessments and referrals for patients to alternate emergency departments in surrounding communities.
Surrounding facilities include the Redwater Health Centre (56km), St. Therese-St Paul Healthcare Centre (93km), or the William J. Cadzow – Lac La Biche Healthcare Centre (101km).
EMS will remain available in the community and calls will be re-routed to surrounding healthcare centres to ensure local residents continue to have access to the emergency services they need. Patients are asked to call 911 if they have a medical emergency.
Residents are reminded to call Health Link at 811, which is available 24/7 for non-emergency health-related questions.
This is a temporary measure and AHS is working hard to ensure local residents continue to have access to the care they need during this time.
AHS continues to aggressively recruit healthcare professionals for rural areas and closures may not occur if coverage is found. These temporary closures, as well as any updates (should coverage be found), is posted to AHS Facilities Temporary Bed / Space Reductions (www.ahs.ca/br/page17594.aspx).
AHS has several initiatives underway to help support recruitment efforts including northern incentive programs as well as working closely with practicing professionals and the community. The Alberta Rural Health Professions Action Plan is also in place, aiming to improve rural medical services for communities, support rural practitioners and recruit new talent.
