April 16, 2025
OYEN – Due to an unexpected clinical personnel shortage and inability to secure coverage, the Oyen Big Country Hospital emergency department (ED) will be temporarily closed beginning Thursday, April 17, at 5 p.m.
The ED will re-open Tuesday, April 22, at 8 a.m. to provide 24-hour service.
During the temporary closure, nursing staff will remain on-site to provide care for long-term care residents.
The site will temporarily stop acute care admissions beginning Wednesday, April 16, at 5 p.m. Admissions will reopen on Tuesday, April 22, at 8 a.m. Acute care patients already admitted to the hospital prior to the temporary closure will continue to receive care during this time.
Alberta Health Services (AHS) is working to ensure local 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 calls will be re-routed to the Hanna Health Centre (113 km); Coronation Health Centre (135 km); Provost Health Centre (140 km); Brooks Health Centre (187 km); or Medicine Hat Regional Hospital (196 km). Patients seeking care can access emergency services at any one of these sites.
Residents are reminded to call Health Link at 811, which is available 24/7 for non-emergency, health-related questions. Individuals requiring non-emergency medical care are also encouraged to call their family physician.
AHS is 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 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.
