COLD LAKE – Cold Lake found itself without a doctor available to handle emergency cases at the Cold Lake Healthcare Centre overnight July 9 to July 10 until 7 a.m.
An Alberta Health Services (AHS) media release announced that due to the inability to secure physician coverage, the Cold Lake Healthcare Centre emergency department would be temporarily without on-site physician coverage.
The city will find itself in the same position next week. Between 11 p.m. July 15 and 7 a.m. July 16, the hospital will again be without on-site physician coverage in the hospital’s emergency department.
AHS reported “nursing staff will remain on-site in the emergency department during these times, providing triage, assessments and referrals for patients to alternate emergency departments in surrounding communities, as needed.
“Patients are asked to call 911 if they have a medical emergency. EMS will remain available to the community and will work with the local healthcare centre to ensure residents continue to have access to the emergency services they need.”
AHS said residents are able to call Health Link at 811, which is available 24/7 for non-emergency health-related questions.
“If coverage is found, disruptions may be cancelled. This is a temporary measure and AHS is working hard to ensure local residents continue to have access to the care they need during this time. 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."
