Alberta Health Services is once again advising area residents of another service disruption at Lac La Biche's W.J. Cadzow Hospital.
Due to the lack of an on-site physician, the latest service disruptions at the hospital's Emergency Department will take place on Tuesday, October 3 from 8 am. to 5 pm.
Help still available
Patients are asked to call 911 if they have a medical emergency. EMS will remain available to the community and will be re-routed to surrounding healthcare centres.
Nursing staff will remain on-site in the emergency department providing triage, assessments and referrals for patients to alternate emergency departments in surrounding communities, as needed.
The disruption and notice from AHS is the latest of more than a dozen instances over the last 18 months where a shortage of physicians in the area has disrupted service. The Lac La Biche area now has five practicing physicians. In a recent interview with the Lac La Biche POST newsroom, Lac La Biche County Mayor Paul Reutov said a roster of 12 physicians is needed to provide adequate service and reduce undo stresses on existing medical staff currently serving the community.
Temporary measure
AHS officials are once again saying that if coverage is found, the latest 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," notes AHS spokesperson Lisa Laferriere, reminding residents to call the 24/7 Health Link service at 811 for non-emergency health-related questions.
"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," she noted.
According to the latest news release from AHS detailing the disruption, the "current focus is on reducing emergency department wait-times, improving EMS response times, increasing access to surgeries, and improving patient flow."
