Due to the inability to secure physician coverage, the William J. Cadzow - Lac La Biche Healthcare Centre emergency department will be temporarily without on-site physician coverage from July 25 at 8:00 a.m. to July 27 at 8:00 a.m., and July 28 at 8:00 a.m. to July 29 at 8:00 a.m.
This is the fifth time since May, and the third time in July that physician shortages in the community have disrupted emergency department service.
Through the most recent disruptions, nursing staff will remain on-site in the Cadzow emergency department providing triage, assessments and referrals for patients to alternate emergency departments in surrounding communities, as needed. Patients are asked to call 911 if they have a medical emergency. EMS will remain available to the community and will be re-routed to surrounding healthcare centres.
Residents are reminded to call Health Link at 811, which is available 24/7 for non-emergency health-related questions.AHS officials say the disruption 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. If coverage is found, this disruption may be cancelled.
