November 2, 2022
CONSORT – The Consort Hospital and Care Centre emergency department (ED) will remain temporarily closed through the month of November due to sustained and significant shortages among nursing staff.
Alberta Health Services (AHS) continues to work to stabilize staffing through aggressive recruitment efforts and support from agency nurses. AHS is closely monitoring the situation and regularly assessing the ability to resume services.
Extending this temporary closure is not ideal; however, by extending the temporary closure of the ED, AHS is able to concentrate available staffing resources to the long-term care unit. There are currently not enough RNs available to staff both the ED and LTC as both care settings require onsite RN supports.
Patients presenting to the ED during regular operating hours – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 9 a.m. to noon on Friday – will be referred to emergency departments in surrounding communities or to the local medical clinic for follow-up with a family physician, as appropriate. EMS will divert patients to facilities in Coronation, Castor or Provost as needed.
Patients are asked to call 911 if they have a medical emergency.
Depending on their needs, patients seeking care may call Health Link at 811, which is available 24/7 for non-emergency, health-related questions.
AHS is grateful for the support of surrounding healthcare centres and medical staff, and would like to thank the community for its 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. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.
