TWO HILLS - The Two Hills emergency department will see reduced hours of operation, effective Aug. 4, due to "continued gaps in physician coverage," according to Alberta Health Services (AHS).
The hours of operation for the emergency department (ED) at the Two Hills Health Centre will be temporarily reduced during the evening Monday to Thursday, says AHS, on Aug. 1.
As of Aug. 4, the ED will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday, and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday.
"The ED will continue to be closed on weekends at this time," according to AHS.
Recruitment efforts for additional physicians to support a return to expanded ED hours continue to take place, according to AHS.
"Additionally, Alberta Health Services (AHS) continues to explore all options for locum coverage to help minimize the reduction in ED hours for the community."
When the ED is closed, nursing staff will be on site and can provide care and assistance in redirecting patients to other emergency departments in the region.
"EMS will remain available to the community and will work closely with nursing teams to transport patients to surrounding facilities, including St. Joseph’s General Hospital in Vegreville, St. Therese Hospital in St. Paul, the Viking Health Centre or Vermilion Health Centre," says AHS.
All other services at the Two Hills Health Centre will continue to operate as normal.
As always residents are asked to call 911 if they have a medical emergency.
