Swan Hills Healthcare Centre's emergency department shutting down overnight

SWAN HILLS — The lack of available physicians and registered nurses is causing more disruptions at the Swan Hills Healthcare Centre, which is located approximately 100 kilometres northwest of Barrhead.

According to an Alberta Health Services (AHS) release, there was no physician on-site in the emergency department from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on April 2 or 3, and that will also be the case today, April 4 and on Friday, April 5.

The release states that this was a "temporary measure" due to a lack of available physicians and an inability to secure locum coverage.

Furthermore, as a result of an "unexpected lack of registered nurses," the emergency department at Swan Hills was closed from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. on April 2-3 and April 3-4. The same will be true for tonight from 7 p.m. on April 4 to 7 a.m. on April 5.

Patients are still asked to call 911 if they have a medical emergency. Emergency medical services (EMS) will remain available to the community and will be re-routed to surrounding health care centres.

As well, residents can call HealthLink at 811 if they have a non-emergency health-related question.

"We are 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," the release states.