SMOKY LAKE - From April 3 to April 12, there will be several evenings where the emergency department at the hospital in Smoky Lake will likely experience service disruptions.
"Due to the inability to secure physician coverage, the George McDougall - Smoky Lake Healthcare Centre emergency department will be temporarily without on-site physician coverage overnight," for several dates, according to Alberta Health Services (AHS).
Those dates include:
- 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 2 – 8 a.m., Wednesday, April 3
- 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 3 – 8 a.m., Thursday, April 4
- 7 p.m., Thursday, April 4 – 8 a.m., Friday, April 5
- 7 p.m., Monday, April 8 – 8 a.m., Tuesday, April 9
- 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 9 – 8 a.m., Wednesday, April 10
- 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 10 – 8 a.m., Thursday, April 11
- 7 p.m., Thursday, April 11 – 8 a.m., Friday, April 12
According to AHS, "Nursing staff will remain on-site in the emergency department providing triage, assessments and referrals for patients to alternate emergency departments in surrounding communities, as needed."
Residents should still call 911 if they have a medical emergency.
"EMS will remain available to the community and will work with the local healthcare centre to ensure residents continue to have access to the emergency services they need," according to AHS.
Residents are also reminded to call Health Link at 811, which is available for non-emergency health-related questions.
If physician coverage is found, the disruptions may be cancelled.
"This 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."
