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More issues at Milk River Emergency Department (July 30-Aug. 2)

Posted on 30 July 2023 by Ryan Dahlman

MILK RIVER – Due to gaps in nursing coverage, the Milk River Emergency Department (ED) will be temporarily closed from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Sunday, July 30, 2023. The ED will reopen at 7 p.m. on Sunday, July 30, 2023. 

The Milk River Health Centre ED will also be temporarily closed at 8 a.m. Monday, July 31 due to gaps in physician coverage. The ED will re-open at 8 a.m. Wednesday, August 2 to provide 24-hour service.   

These closures are a temporary measure. AHS continues to make every effort to find nursing and physician coverage. If coverage is secured and the ED is able to remain open, the community will be notified. 

Nursing staff will remain in the ED during the closures to assess any patients who present to the ED. They will provide first aid where needed and refer patients to alternate care facilities in surrounding communities, including the Raymond Health Centre (60 km) or the Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge (90 km). 

EMS will be available to transport patients to other facilities depending on their condition. 

All other services at the site will continue to operate as normal throughout the temporary closures. Inpatient units are not affected, and patients will continue to receive the care and support they need. 

Patients are asked to call 911 if they have a medical emergency. Residents are reminded to call Health Link at 811, which is available 24/7 for non-emergency health-related questions. Individuals requiring non-emergency medical care are also encouraged to call their family physician. 

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. 

Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Our mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans. Our current focus is on reducing emergency department wait-times, improving EMS response times, increasing access to surgeries, and improving patient flow. 

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