CORONATION EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT - TEMPORARY CHANGE IN HOURS

Due to a gap in physician coverage, the emergency department (ED) at the Coronation Hospital and Care Centre will be temporarily changing its scheduled hours until coverage is secured.

Effective Feb. 5, the ED will be open from 8 a.m. Mondays through 8 a.m. Thursdays, closed from 8 a.m. Thursdays to 8 a.m. Fridays, and open from 8 a.m. to noon Fridays. In addition, the ED will be closed on the following dates and times through the month due to gaps in physician coverage:

• Friday, Feb. 7, from 8 a.m. to noon
• Friday, Feb. 21, from 8 a.m. to noon

When the ED is closed, nursing staff will remain in the department to support any patients presenting to the site. Staff will assess patients and provide care where appropriate. Depending on their condition, patients may be referred to other facilities in surrounding communities, including the Our Lady of the Rosary Hospital in Castor, the Hanna Health Centre and the Stettler Hospital and Care Centre. EMS will be available to transport patients if required.

Patients are asked to call 911 if they have a medical emergency. Residents are reminded to call Health Link at 811, which is available 24/7 for non-emergency health-related questions. Individuals requiring non-emergency medical care are also encouraged to call their family physician.

If locum coverage is secured for any of the identified gaps, ED service will be restored and the community will be notified.

Alberta Health Services is grateful for the support of surrounding healthcare centres and medical staff, and would like to thank the community for its patience and understanding during this time.

Alberta Health Services provides a range of healthcare services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Our mission is to provide excellent, patient-focused healthcare that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans. Our current focus is on reducing emergency department wait times, improving EMS response times, increasing access to surgeries, and improving patient flow.