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For the second time this month, there will be no on-site physician coverage in the emergency department at the Barrhead Healthcare Centre for a 12-hour period this weekend.
Alberta Health Services (AHS) issued a news release earlier today stating that the temporary disruption in care will run from 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 19 to 7 a.m. on Sunday, March 20.
“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.
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. Similar disruptions resulting from a lack of local physicians occured throughout December, January and February.
On the plus side, the Barrhead Attraction and Retention Centre recently informed the Leader that a new physician will begin practicing in the community at the end of the month. They will be followed by another physician who is working through the final steps of his specialist assessment.
