January 13, 2025
STETTLER — Efforts to mitigate a series of temporary closures to the Stettler Hospital and Care Centre's Emergency Department (ED) have been successful as alternate coverage has been secured for some previously identified gaps in physician coverage this week.
Overnight coverage gaps on January 16 and 18 have been resolved, and a 24-hour coverage gap beginning the evening of January 19 has also been reduced. Alberta Health Services is grateful to the local physicians who have assisted in helping fill these coverage gaps.
The ED will continue to be temporarily closed:
In the event that physician coverage is secured for any other identified gaps, ED service will be restored, and the community will be notified.
During times when the ED is closed, nursing staff remain in the department, providing assistance in redirecting/referring patients to alternate emergency departments in neighbouring communities, or other appropriate levels of service, as needed. EMS will remain available to the community and will be re-routed to surrounding facilities, including Drumheller Health Centre, Lacombe Hospital and Care Centre, St. Mary's Hospital in Camrose, Our Lady of the Rosary Hospital in Castor or Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre.
Other services at the Stettler Hospital and Care Centre are not impacted by this temporary closure.
Alberta Health Services provides a range of healthcare services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Our mission is to provide excellent, patient-focused healthcare 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.
