August 17, 2022
CONSORT – The Consort Hospital and Care Centre emergency department (ED) will be temporarily closed beginning August 17, 2022 due to significant staffing shortages. It is anticipated this closure will remain in place until early September, when staffing levels are expected to stabilize.
This temporary closure is necessary as there are currently not enough RNs available to staff both the ED and the long-term care unit at the hospital. As both care settings require onsite RN supports, closing the ED allows staffing resources to be dedicated to the LTC unit at this time.
Doing so ensures appropriate staffing levels in LTC to avoid having to move residents to other sites.
Efforts to secure additional nursing supports for the ED have been exhausted at this time.
Emergency Department services are expected to resume September 9. AHS will closely monitor the situation and assess the ability to resume services on a regular basis, with the intent to reopen sooner if staffing levels stabilize.
Patients presenting to the ED during regular operating hours – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 9 a.m. to noon on Friday – will be referred to emergency departments in surrounding communities as needed, or to the local medical clinic for follow up with a family physician depending on their needs. EMS will divert patients to facilities in Coronation, Castor or Provost as needed.
Patients are asked to call 911 if they have a medical emergency.
Depending on their needs, patients seeking care may call Health Link at 811, which is available 24/7 for non-emergency, health-related questions.
AHS 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 is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.
