Temporary service advisory for Spirit River Emergency Department

March 15, 2026

SPIRIT RIVER — Due to a clinical personnel shortage and an inability to secure temporary coverage, the Central Peace Health Complex Emergency Department will be without on-site physician coverage from:

During this time, nursing staff will remain on-site in the emergency department providing triage, assessments, and referrals for patients to alternate emergency departments in neighbouring communities, as needed.

Patients are asked to call 911 if they have a medical emergency. EMS will remain available to the community to ensure residents continue to have access to the emergency services they need.

Residents are reminded to call Health Link at 811, which is available 24/7 for non-emergency health-related questions. Depending on their needs, patients seeking care at the ED may also be made aware of services available through local pharmacies.

If coverage is found, this disruption may be cancelled. This is a temporary measure, and AHS is working hard to ensure residents continue to have access to the care they need during this time.

As a reminder, when contacting healthcare staff, please remember to be polite and respectful. Our team is working hard to provide the best care, and kindness helps create a positive experience for everyone. 

Residents with concerns can provide feedback through our Patient Relations team. For more information, call 1-855-550-2555.

We are 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 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.