Temporary overnight closure of Lacombe Hospital and Care Centre ED

LACOMBE – Due to an unexpected gap in physician coverage, the Lacombe Hospital and Care Centre emergency department (ED) will be closed overnight during the following hours:

• January 18 from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m. on January 19

During this temporary closure, nursing staff will remain onsite in the ED to assist any patients who present to the site. They will provide first aid where needed and refer patients to alternate care facilities in surrounding communities as needed. Emergency Health Services (EHS) will be available to transport patients if required.

Patients are asked to call 911 if they have a medical emergency during this time frame. EHS will remain available to the community and will transport patients to Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre as needed.

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.

Other services at the site are not impacted by the ED closures.

If locum coverage is secured for the identified gap, ED service will be restored and the community will be notified.

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 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.