Family Care Clinic hours temporarily change July 29

SLAVE LAKE – Weekday hours at the Slave Lake Family Care Clinic (FCC) are temporarily changing to 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting July 29 due to a shortage of nurse practitioners in the community.

Currently, the clinic is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. Alberta Health Services (AHS) is working to find nurse practitioner coverage to support FCC patients and to fill two local physician positions in order to resume regular hours as safely and quickly as possible.

This temporary change in hours will also help accommodate summer holidays for staff.

Five physicians and three nurse practitioners continue to offer services at the FCC. A third physician is expected to start in Slave Lake in fall 2019, following assessment to practise anesthesia.

Appointments can be booked from Monday to Friday. Please call the clinic at 780-849-4155. Walk-in services are also available.

AHS is committed to ensuring ongoing access to healthcare in Slave Lake and area by working with our partners, practising physicians and the community to support physician and nurse practitioner recruitment.

The Alberta Rural Health Professions Action Plan is also in place to support Alberta’s rural practitioners, their families and communities. This includes projects aimed at improving rural medical services for communities, as well as supporting rural practitioners and recruiting new talent.

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.