October 8, 2025
CORONATION — From 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 9, the emergency department (ED) at the Coronation Hospital and Care Centre will be temporarily without on-site physician support but will have coverage from a virtual emergency physician (VEP).
The VEP program uses an experienced Alberta physician with emergency medicine experience to remotely support facilities temporarily without available on-site ED physician support. Site clinical staff can connect with an AHS physician by telephone or videoconference for ED patients with non-life-threatening issues. This off-site virtual physician can collaborate with local staff, speak with patients, order tests and medications, and transfer or discharge patients.
The VEP program is temporarily in place in Two Hills and Coronation, as well as several northern Alberta communities.
This month, the local ED will be without onsite physician coverage and without VEP coverage:
The site will be without onsite physician coverage and with VEP coverage:
Recruitment efforts continue for additional physicians to support the community and surrounding area.
When the ED is without on-site physician coverage, nursing staff will remain in the department to support any patients presenting to the site. Staff will assess patients and provide care where appropriate. Depending on their condition, patients may be referred to other facilities in surrounding communities, including the Our Lady of the Rosary Hospital in Castor, the Hanna Health Centre and the Stettler Hospital and Care Centre. EMS will be available to transport patients if required.
Other services at the site are not impacted.
If locum coverage is secured for any of the identified gaps, ED service will be restored and the community will be notified.
Alberta Health Services is 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 five 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.
