Virtual Emergency Physician program comes to Grimshaw

January 13, 2026

Service uses remote physicians to support emergency department patients

GRIMSHAW — Patients seeking care at the Grimshaw/Berwyn and District Community Health Centre emergency department (ED) will have additional supports this week when Alberta Health Services (AHS) introduces its Virtual Emergency Physician (VEP) program at the facility.

The VEP uses an experienced ED physician to remotely support facilities temporarily without available on-site ED physician support. In these instances, 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 collaborates with local staff, speaks with patients, orders tests and medications, and transfers or discharges patients.

“We are incredibly grateful for the support the VEP program has received from our staff, physicians and EMS partners,” says Dr. Jane Ojedokun, Medical Director for AHS North Zone. “We recently completed a six-month pilot of the program and, through data and feedback collected, we continue to make improvements that will improve patient and provider experiences, as well as patient flow.” 

Virtual physician models are currently being used in B.C., Saskatchewan and Ontario, where this approach has proven to be reliable and effective in ensuring low-acuity patients receive the support they need when they need it. EMS remains available to transfer high-acuity patients to a nearby facility with in-person ED physician support when necessary. 

The program is also being offered in 10 other communities: 

The Elk Point Healthcare Centre and Redwater Healthcare Centre both launched the VEP program last year. Since launch, each site has secured on-site physician support and no longer require the program. 

AHS continues to actively recruit physicians to supply in-person emergency department support. This initiative will not impact those continued efforts in communities where the VEP program is offered. On-site physician coverage remains AHS’ priority and preferred approach.

If there is a service disruption and there is no emergency physician on-site, it will be noted in the communications if a virtual emergency physician will be available. 

Alberta Health Services provides acute care services for more than five million Albertans at hospitals, urgent care centres, and health centres across the province. Our mission is to provide excellent and accessible patient-focused healthcare for all Albertans. Our current focus is on reducing emergency department wait times, increasing access to surgeries and improving patient flow.