UPDATE: As some physician coverage has since been identified, the temporary ED closure is now scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. Jan. 2 until 7 a.m. Friday.
The emergency department at the Fort Macleod Health Centre is temporarily closing due to a lack of physicians.
The closure will start at 7 a.m. on Thursday, January 2 with Alberta Health Services saying the facility will reopen at 7 a.m. on Friday, January 3 for 24-hour service.
Nursing staff will stay on-site during the temporary closure to provide care for long-term care patients. The community is asked to call 911 if they have a medical emergency, with EMS calls re-routed to Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge.
Individuals seeking care can access emergency services at Chinook, the Pincher Creek Health Centre, Cardston Health Centre or the Claresholm Community Health Centre.
Residents can also call Health Link at 811, which is available 24/7 for non-emergency health-related questions. AHS encourages people requiring non-emergency medical care to contact their family physician.
