Alberta Health Services officials are reporting that a physician will be on-site at Lac La Biche's W. J. Cadzow hospital's emergency ward for the day-shift this coming Saturday, December 16. The shift had previously been part of a full weekend service disruption at the hospital due to a lack of doctor coverage.
The Saturday shift is from 8 a.m. to 4 pm.
"The emergency department will remain open and available to area residents in need of urgent care during these times," says AHS spokesperson Lisa LaFerriere in an update issued Wednesday afternoon.
The previous AHS announcement issued on Tuesday stated that the hospital's emergency ward would be temporarily without on-site physician coverage throughout the entire weekend from Friday night to Sunday morning.
With partial coverage found, the department's service disruption will now be from 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15 to 8 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 16, and again from 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 – 8 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 17
"We are grateful for the support of our healthcare teams and would like to thank the community for their patience and understanding," noted LaFerriere.
Nurses will continue to be on site in the Emergency ward during the weekend. AHS officials recommend residents use the 811 Health link telephone service. EMS will also be available through the weekend
