February 11, 2022
SWAN HILLS — Coverage by a locum physician will reduce the ED closure time in Swan Hills this month, allowing the Swan Hills Healthcare Centre emergency department (ED) to open between 5 p.m. Friday, February 11 and 8 a.m. Monday, February 14. The ED remains closed February 9 and 10, and will be closed again from 8 a.m on Monday, February 14 to 8 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 18. There will be no hospital admissions before the Swan Hill Healthcare Centre resumes normal operations on February 18.
This closure is due to physician vacancies and an inability to secure locum coverage.
Nursing staff will remain on site in the ED providing triage and assessments, and referrals for patients to alternate EDs in surrounding communities as needed.
Patients are asked to call 911 if they have a medical emergency during this time. EMS calls will be re-routed to Westlock Healthcare Centre (118 km away), Whitecourt Healthcare Centre (80 km) and Slave Lake Healthcare Centre (116 km).
Depending on their needs, patients seeking care at the local ED may also be made aware of services available through pharmacies. Residents are reminded to call Health Link at 811, which is available 24/7 for non-emergency, health-related questions.
A new physician will begin in Swan Hills on March 14, and will become the second physician practising in the community.
AHS is grateful for the continuous support of surrounding healthcare centres and medical staff, and thanks the community for its 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. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.
