SUNDRE – The local hospital’s emergency department is facing temporary closures over Christmas and Boxing Day as well as New Year’s Eve, Alberta Health Services has announced.
The Myron Thompson Health Centre’s emergency department will be temporarily closed “due to a sudden gap in physician coverage,” states part of an AHS press release issued on Friday, Dec. 22.
According to the statement, the emergency department will be closed overnight from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. on the following dates: December 24, 25, 26, 30 and 31.
Additionally, the emergency department will also be temporarily closed during daytime hours from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Dec. 28-29.
“These closures are a last resort after all options to find alternative coverage have been exhausted,” reads part of the press release, adding the community will be updated in the event coverage is secured in the coming days.
During that time, nursing staff will still be on-shift at the emergency department throughout the closures to assess any patients who arrive seeking care, the statement adds.
“They will provide first aid where needed and refer patients to alternate care facilities in surrounding communities, including the Olds Hospital and Care Centre, Didsbury District Health Services and Rocky Mountain House Health Centre as needed.”
Depending on the condition of any patients who arrive, EMS will be available to provide transportation to other facilities, reads the statement.
Meanwhile, all other services at the Myron Thompson Health Centre will continue operating as normal, and inpatient units will not be affected.
