July 15, 2024
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOUSE - Due to an unexpected gap in physician coverage, the Rocky Mountain House Health Centre Emergency Department (ED) is temporarily closed effective immediately.
The ED will reopen at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, July 16.
During the temporary closure, nursing staff will remain in the ED to assess any patients who present to the site. They will provide first aid where needed and refer patients to alternate care facilities in surrounding communities, including the Myron Thompson Health Centre in Sundre, Rimbey Hospital and Care Centre, and Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre.
EMS will transport patients to other sites as needed.
Anyone requiring emergency medical care during this time is asked to call 911. EMS calls will be re-routed to surrounding facilities. All other services at the Rocky Mountain House Health Centre will continue to operate as normal during the ED closure.
Efforts to secure alternative physician 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 of the ED are concerning to the community and continue to collaborate to mitigate closures by seeking locum physician support and through ongoing recruitment efforts to help maintain regular service hours.
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.