December 28, 2023
SYLVAN LAKE – Due to a sudden and unexpected gap in physician coverage, the Sylvan Lake Advanced Ambulatory Care Service (SLAACS) will be temporarily closed today, December 28, from 2 p.m. until 10 p.m., with service resuming at 7:30 a.m. on Friday, December 29.
There are additional coverage gaps that will result in temporary closures next week if alternative locum coverage cannot be found, including over the following dates:
Normal hours of operation will resume for SLAACS on January 7 at 7:30 a.m.
If coverage is found for any of these service gaps though our ongoing efforts, the community will be informed as soon as possible.
AHS and local medical staff recognize that temporary closures are concerning to the community and continue to collaborate to secure additional supports for SLAACS, in order to maintain regular service hours while providing adequate time for physicians to meet their professional obligations.
Since July, two new physician recruits have begun practicing in the community, with additional new physicians expected to be arriving in the new year to support SLAACS and community-based services.
Patients arriving at the Sylvan Lake Community Health Centre to receive care from SLAACS during a closure will be redirected to other available care options as appropriate to their needs. Patients can also access medical care for urgent health concerns from facilities in nearby communities, including Red Deer and Rocky Mountain House. Appointments scheduled with other services at the health centre, including Public Health or laboratory, are not impacted by temporary closures of SLAACS.
Sylvan Lake Advanced Ambulatory Care Service offers diagnosis and treatment of urgent but non-life-threatening conditions. Examples of urgent needs include minor cuts or burns, muscle and joint strains, bone fractures, and fever in young children.
SLAACS is not for life-threatening emergencies such as heart attack, signs/symptoms of stroke, head trauma, seizures etc. Patients requiring emergency medical care should call 911.
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. Our mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans. Our current focus is on reducing emergency department wait-times, improving EMS response times, increasing access to surgeries, and improving patient flow.
