October 10, 2025
BOW ISLAND – Due to an unexpected clinical personnel shortage and inability to secure coverage, the Bow Island Health Centre emergency department (ED) will close from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. starting Friday, Oct. 10 through Monday, Oct. 13. The ED will be open Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., returning to current weekday coverage on Oct. 13.
Due to the ongoing clinical personnel shortage and an inability to secure regular 24-hour coverage seven days a week, physicians will be on site at the ED Monday through Thursday between 8 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. for emergent patient and low acuity walk-ins. They will be on-call for patients arriving between 11:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.
The ED should resume current weekend hours of 7 a.m. Fridays to 8 p.m. Mondays the following weekend.
During the temporary closure, nursing staff will remain on-site to provide care for remaining acute care patients and long-term care residents.
Alberta Health Services (AHS) is actively recruiting for positions in the community and 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 services are prepared to respond to emergency events and support inter-facility transfers to neighbouring sites. Patients seeking care can access emergency services at the Taber Health Centre or the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital, both 57 km away.
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 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.
