January 27, 2023
GRIMSHAW — Alberta Health Services (AHS) has extended the temporary change in hours of service at Grimshaw/Berwyn and District Health Centre Emergency Department (ED), due to a lack of registered nursing staff and an inability to secure temporary (locum) coverage.
Between Jan. 31 and March 31, 2023, the Emergency Department will continue to be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and closed overnight, from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. This will allow existing staff to provide consistent service for 12 hours each day, during the times when the majority of emergency department and outpatient visits occur.
This is a temporary measure and AHS is working hard to ensure area residents continue to have access to the care they need during this time.
Patients are asked to call 911 if they have a medical emergency. EMS will be re-routed to alternate healthcare sites. Healthcare facilities in surrounding communities include the Peace River Community Health Centre (25 km), Fairview Health Complex (58 km), Manning Community Health Centre (83 km), the Sacred Heart Community Health Centre in McLennan (100 km), or the Central Peace Health Complex in Spirit River (112 km).
For non-emergency health-related questions, residents are reminded to call Health Link at 811, which is available on a 24/7 basis.
We are thankful 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. 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.
