Fort Macleod emergency department to temporarily close

Due to an unexpected clinical personnel shortage and inability to secure coverage, the Fort Macleod Health Centre emergency department (ED) will be temporarily closed on April 16 at 7 p.m. to April 17 at 7 a.m., when it will reopen to provide 24-hour service.

During the temporary closure, officials with Alberta Health Services (AHS) say nursing staff will remain on-site to provide care for long-term care residents.

AHS says it is working to ensure local residents continue to have access to the care they need during this time.

Patients are asked to call 911 if they have a medical emergency. AHS says EMS calls will be rerouted to Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge (49 km away).