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Further service disruptions at Barrhead Healthcare Centre

No on-site physician coverage in emergency department from 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 29 to 7 a.m. on Wednesday, March 30
Barrhead HC Centre (VM)
Alberta Health Services has announced that there will be no on-site physician coverage at the Barrhead Healthcare Centre for a 12-hour period starting at 7 p.m. on March 29 going to 7 a.m. on March 30.

BARRHEAD-For the third time this month, Alberta Health Services (AHS), there will be no on-site physician coverage in the emergency department (ED) at the Barrhead Healthcare Centre for a 12-hour period starting on March 29.

 Alberta Health Services (AHS) made the announcement through a March 25 news release stating that the temporary disruption in care will run from 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 29 to 7 a.m. on Wednesday, March 30.

“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,” the release states.

During this period, nursing staff remain in the emergency department to perform triage and referrals for patients to other hospitals in neighbouring communities.

Otherwise, patients are asked to call 9-1-1 if they have a medical emergency. EMS (Emergency Medical Services) will be re-routed to either the Westlock Healthcare Centre or the Whitecourt Healthcare Centre.

Depending on their needs, patients seeking care at the ED in Barrhead may also be made aware of services available through local pharmacies.

And as always, non-emergency medical calls can be made to Health Link at 8-1-1, which is available 24/7.

"We are thankful for the support of surrounding healthcare centres and medical staff and would like to thank the community for their patience and understanding during this time," AHS stated.

During the first week in March, there was no on-site physician coverage in the emergency department at the Barrhead Healthcare Centre for a total of 50 hours. Two weeks later there was another service disruption with no on-site physician coverage in the emergency department for 12 hours on the weekend of March 19 and 20. Similar disruptions resulting from a lack of local physicians occurred throughout December, January and February.

On a positive note, the Barrhead Attraction and Retention Centre recently informed the Leader that a new physician will begin practicing in the community in the near future. They will be followed by another physician who is working through the final steps of his specialist assessment which is expected to be complete in a month or two.

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