The Bow Island Health Centre's emergency department is now open for emergency care on Thursdays. (Photo: Pattison Media)

By David Opinko

Bow Island emergency department extending hours but staffing shortages remain

Apr 10, 2025 | 6:00 AM

Residents of Bow Island will now have the option to go to their local emergency department (ED) for one extra day each week.

On March 14, 2025, Alberta Health Services (AHS) closed the ED at the Bow Island Health Centre for one week, then limited its hours to Fridays at 7:00 a.m. to Mondays at 7:00 a.m.

Starting on April 10, the facility will be operational on Thursdays as well.

Admissions to two acute care beds have also been reopened.

Despite the improving hours, AHS says they are not in the clear just yet.

Nighttime construction on Hwy 3 in Lethbridge starts April 17

Apr 17, 2025

SASHA launches #BuyABed fundraiser to support vulnerable Lethbridge residents

Apr 04, 2025

$20K grants available: TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Edition opens applications April 1

Mar 18, 2025

“There is still an ongoing clinical personnel shortage and an inability to secure regular and consistent coverage during the remainder of the week,” reads an advisory from AHS.

During the times when the ED is closed, nursing staff will remain on-site to look after long-term care residents and any remaining acute care patients.

Patients who require emergency healthcare during the closures can call 911 or go to the Taber Health Centre (57 kilometres away) or Medicine Hat Regional Hospital (57 km).

Those with non-urgent health-related questions can phone Health Link at 8-1-1 at any time.

For local news delivered daily to your email inbox, subscribe for free to the Lethbridge News Now newsletter here. You can also download the Lethbridge News Now mobile app in the Google Play and the Apple App Stores.