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Alberta Health Services (AHS) has issued a notice that the BarrheadHealthcare Centre’s emergency department will lack any on-site physician coverage from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. on Dec. 18, 19 and 21.
To clarify, the three 12-hour periods without any on-site physician coverage will run from:
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8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 18 to 8 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 19
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8 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 19, to 8 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 20
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8 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 21 to 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 22
The release from AHS states during these three periods, nursing staff will remain on-site in the emergency department to provide urgent care and assessments and refer patients to alternate emergency departments in neighbouring communities.
Barrhead area patients are asked to call 9-1-1 if they have a medical emergency. Emergency medical services (EMS) will be re-routed to the Westlock Healthcare Centre or Whitecourt Healthcare Centre.
“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.
Depending on their needs, patients seeking care at the emergency department in Barrhead may also be made aware of services available through local pharmacies. As well, non-emergency health care questions can be directed to 8-1-1, which is available 24/7.
The Barrhead Healthcare Centre was also without any on-site physician coverage for a 12-hour period from 8 p.m. on Nov. 30 to 8 a.m. on Dec. 1.
In a follow-up inquiry with AHS, spokesperson Logan Clow stated that the lack of coverage was due to physician vacancies and an inability to secure a locum – a physician from out of the area.
“While there is steady growth in the number of physicians and nurse practitioners practicing in Alberta, gaining access to a physician continues to be a challenge in many rural and remote areas,” Clow said.
“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, physician and nursing locum availability has been reduced. Many individuals have chosen not to travel outside of their home communities, and this drastically reduced our locum pool, and our ability to cover vacant shifts.”
Clow said AHS has several initiatives underway to support recruitment efforts, such as northern incentive initiatives. The Alberta Rural Health Professions Action Plan also helps to support rural practitioners and recruit new talent.
