June 30, 2023
TOFIELD – The Tofield Health Centre Emergency Department (ED) is open longer after reducing its hours of overnight closure.
Until later this summer, the ED will be open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m and temporarily closed from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., seven days a week. This is a change from the previous closure times of 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., seven days a week. A return to regular 24 hour service is anticipated this summer.
The site is able to increase the hours it is open due to one registered nurse (RN) completing orientation. There are seven new RNs and two Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) currently in orientation who are expected to support the site’s return to regular hours later this summer. Robust orientation of new staff is vital to patient and staff safety, and is an important part of staff retention.
Patients presenting to the ED during the hours of closure 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 Camrose or Viking for emergency care, as needed.
Residents are reminded to call Health Link at 811, which is available 24/7, for non-emergency, health-related questions. Patients are asked to call 911 if they have a medical emergency.
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.
