The Coronation Hospital emergency department will be closed all day Thursday before re-opening Friday.
The closure, according to Alberta Health Services, is due to a gap in physician coverage.
“This closure is a temporary measure, and we continue to seek locum coverage. Should any of these gap be filled, service will be restored, and the community will be notified,” AHS said in a press release Wednesday.
The closure started at 8 p.m. Thursday and ends at 8 a.m. Friday.
Nursing staff will remain in the ED to assess any patients who present at the site. They will provide first aid where needed and refer patients to alternate care facilities in surrounding communities should their condition require it. EMS will be available to transport patients to other facilities depending on their condition.
All other services at the site will operate as normal throughout this temporary closure. Inpatient units are not affected, and patients will continue to receive the care they need.
Patients requiring emergency medical care during this time are asked to call 911. EMS services are prepared to respond to emergency events and support inter-facility transfers to neighbouring sites. Residents are reminded they can call Health Link at 811, available 24/7, for non-emergency, health-related questions.
“AHS is grateful for the support of surrounding health-care centres and medical staff and would like to thank the community for its patience and understanding during this time,” AHS also said in the release.
“Physician recruitment efforts continue to support Coronation and surrounding area.”