June 14, 2024
PONOKA – Due to a gap in physician coverage, the Emergency Department (ED) at the Ponoka Hospital and Care Centre will be temporarily closed from 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 16, until 8 a.m. on Monday, June 17.
During this temporary closure nursing staff will remain on-site in the ED to provide triage and assessments to patients who present to the department. Patients will be referred to alternative care options depending on their condition.
EMS will transport patients requiring emergency care to nearby facilities, including Lacombe Hospital and Care Centre, Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre or the Wetaskiwin Hospital and Care Centre.
Other care services at the Ponoka Hospital and Care Centre are not impacted by this temporary closure.
Efforts to secure alternative locum coverage remain ongoing. In the event coverage is secured, the ED will reopen earlier and the community will be informed.
AHS and local medical staff recognize that temporary closures are concerning to the community and continue to collaborate to secure additional supports through ongoing recruitment efforts for example. AHS is grateful for the support of staff and physicians who work to minimize temporary disruptions as much as possible.
Additionally AHS appreciates the support of surrounding healthcare centres, and would like to thank the community for its patience and understanding during this time.
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.
