Hospital emergency departments are facing staff shortages throughout the region, causing closures.
According to Alberta Health Services, the Coronation Hospital emergency department will be temporarily closed due to a physician shortage.
Coronation Hospital’s emergency department will experience temporary closures on July 13 from 8 a.m. till noon on July 14, July 17 from 8 a.m. till July 18 at 8 a.m., and July 20 from 8 a.m. until July 21 at 8 a.m.
“I’m sure as upset as anybody else is,” said Town of Coronation Mayor Brett Alderdice. “Nobody wants to see it happen, that’s for sure.”
The closures are in place due to having an insufficient number of temporary doctors available to cover the shifts.
Nursing staff will be present during the closures to provide first aid and refer patients to alternative care facilities in surrounding communities, such as Hanna, Castor, and Stettler.
“I can say that AHS has assured us that they’re actually interviewing doctors as we speak to fill one position, and then they’re still hoping to fill the third position here,” Alderdice said. “It’s hopeful; it’s just unfortunate that we’re in this situation right now.
Alberta Health Services has also stated Consort Hospital emergency department will remain closed until Aug. 2. Consort emergency department had a tentative reopening date of July 5.
Patients presenting to the Consort emergency department during regular operating hours will be referred to other facilities in Castor, Provost, and Coronation during operating hours.
Alberta Health Services stated the closure is due to sustained and significant nursing shortages.
EMS will be available to transport patients to other facilities. Patients are reminded to call 911 if there is an emergency and to call Health Link at 811, which is available for non-emergency, health-related questions.
Jessica Campbell
ECA Review
