Update #1:
As of about 11 a.m. on Oct. 9, Alberta Health Services (AHS) says on-site physician coverage has been found for 8 a.m. on Oct. 13 to 8 a.m. on Oct. 16. A shortage is still expected from 8 a.m. on Oct. 9 to 8 a.m. on Oct. 13.
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Due to an unexpected personnel shortage, Alberta Health Services (AHS) says the Swan Hills Healthcare Centre Emergency Department will be without on-site physician coverage from 8 a.m. on Oct. 9 to 8 a.m. on Oct. 16.
During this period, AHS says nursing staff will remain on-site in the emergency department to provide triage, assessments and referrals to alternate emergency departments in neighbouring communities, as needed.
A virtual emergency physician is also scheduled to support part of the affected period, officials say.
In the meantime, patients are asked to call 911 if they have a medical emergency. Emergency Health Services will remain available to the community and will be re-routed to surrounding facilities.
Health Link 811 is also available for 24-7 non-emergency health questions.
AHS says it is working to find clinical personnel coverage for this time period. If coverage is found, this disruption will be cancelled.
