February 6, 2025
SMOKY LAKE — Due to lack of clinical personnel, the emergency department at the George McDougall - Smoky Lake Healthcare Centre is without onsite physician coverage for the following time periods:
Nursing staff will remain on-site in the emergency department providing triage, 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 work with the local healthcare centre to ensure residents continue to have access to the emergency services they need.
Residents are reminded to call Health Link at 811, which is available 24/7 for non-emergency health-related questions.
If coverage is found, disruptions may be cancelled. 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.
For updates about service disruptions, please visit https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/br/page17594.aspx. The website is updated Tuesdays and Fridays.
As a reminder, when contacting healthcare staff, please remember to be polite and respectful. Our team is working hard to provide the best care, and kindness helps create a positive experience for everyone.
Residents with concerns can provide feedback through our Patient Relations team. For more information, call 1-855-550-2555.
We are 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 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.
