Tofield - lack of 24-7 physician service prompts temporary reduction of inpatient and emergency services 

Lack of 24-7 physician service prompts temporary reduction of inpatient and emergency service at Tofield Health Centre
Full services will resume June 16th 

TOFIELD – Alberta Health Services has suspended admissions to the Tofield Health Centre acute care unit due to unavailability of 24-7 physician coverage.

The emergency department will also remain closed. Both services will resume full operations at 8 a.m. June 16. 

“This has not been an easy decision but it is the right decision,” says Sherie Allen, acting Chief Zone Officer for AHS Central Zone. “Not reducing these services during this time would put patient care at risk, and that is not something we would ever contemplate. We sincerely regret the impact on our patients and the community.”

There is currently only one physician available in the community. 

AHS will transfer four high acuity inpatients to neighbouring health centres; six lower acuity patients (Alternate Level of Care) will remain at the site and be supported with on-call physician and nurse practitioner coverage, and one will be discharged and provided home care supports. The long-term care facility at the site will also remain open with on-call physician and a nurse practitioner support. There are no labour implications for staff at the site. 

Residents who require emergency services should call 911 or go to their nearest healthcare centre. Albertans can also contact Health Link at 811 for a list of other available emergency departments and clinics or for additional health information. The closest healthcare sites to Tofield include:  

• St. Mary’s Hospital, Camrose (55 km)
• Strathcona Community Hospital (55 km) 
• Grey Nun’s Hospital, Edmonton (57 km) 
• Viking Health Centre (68 km)
• St. Joseph’s Hospital, Vegreville (70 km)

AHS continues to actively recruit physicians into the Tofield community. 

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. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.

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