June 7, 2023
SMOKY LAKE — Due to the inability to secure physician coverage, the Smoky Lake – George McDougall Healthcare Centre emergency department will be temporarily without on-site physician coverage from June 8 at 8 a.m. until June 9 at 8 a.m.
This is a temporary measure and AHS is working hard to ensure local residents continue to have access to the care they need during this time. If coverage is found, this disruption may be cancelled.
Nursing staff will remain on-site in the emergency department providing triage and assessments, and referrals for patients to alternate emergency departments in surrounding communities, as needed.
Patients are asked to call 911 if they have a medical emergency. EMS will remain available to the community and will be re-routed to surrounding healthcare centres to ensure local residents continue to have access to the emergency services they need.
Depending on their needs, patients seeking care may also be made aware of services available through local pharmacies. Residents are reminded to call Health Link at 811, which is available 24/7, for non-emergency, health-related questions.
AHS continues to aggressively recruit healthcare professionals for rural areas. AHS has several initiatives underway to help support recruitment efforts including northern incentive programs as well as working closely with practicing professionals and the community. The Alberta Rural Health Professions Action Plan is also in place, aiming to improve rural medical services for communities, support rural practitioners and recruit new talent.
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.
