MEDICINE HAT — Alberta Health Services (AHS) will close a field hospital today at 6 p.m. as efforts in many parts of the province move towards recovery and helping Albertans stay safe and healthy as they return to their flood-damaged homes.
The temporary site was put in place to maintain health services in north Medicine Hat in the event all bridges across the South Saskatchewan River were closed. With the water receding, the bridges are open. AHS will consolidate resources once again at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital (MHRH).
“The field hospital has served its purpose,” said Minister of Health Fred Horne. “It was put in place quickly and effectively to ensure that anyone requiring urgent care on the north side of the city had a place to go. With the flood risk diminishing in Medicine Hat, it’s a good time to relocate back to the hospital.”
Dr. Paul Parks, Chief of Emergency Department at the MHRH, said this is an excellent example of what health care can do even when hospitals are at capacity.
“I’m super proud and impressed with the team,” said Dr. Parks. “If the bridges had gone down, we expected 20,000 people would not have access to the hospital – we were ready.”
Residents preparing to re-enter homes following evacuation in communities across southern Alberta are reminded that flood-damaged areas can pose a number of significant risks to health.
It’s very important you take steps to protect your safety and health.
To protect yourself:
- Wear proper safety gear, such as water and puncture proof boots and rubber gloves, for all clean-up activities.
- Remove and dispose of any flooring, furniture, coverings and drywall that are soaked or have absorbed water.
- Thoroughly clean all surfaces that floodwaters have come in contact with.
- To prevent the growth of dangerous microbes and mould, disinfect all surfaces and coverings – including dry areas - using a household bleach solution.
- Throw out all foods that may have been in contact with floodwater.
- Throw out all refrigerated or frozen foods that may have spent any time in refrigerators or freezers without power.
Bottom line: If in doubt, throw it out.
Learn more about re-entering your home safely at albertahealthservices.ca
Calgary Zone
- At least 60 of Calgary’s 1,100 family physicians and a number of specialist physician offices and clinics have been affected by the flooding. Contingency plans are in place or are being developed to offer alternative care at other locations or relocate these practices. Alberta Health Services is gathering information from the affected physicians and specialists and will provide it to Health Link Alberta as it becomes available.
- The Sheldon M. Chumir Urgent Care Centre will remain closed until power is restored and the building is inspected.
- The Holy Cross Centre building is under mandatory evacuation order and will remain closed for an indefinite period of time. All AHS clinics located at the Holy Cross Centre are closed, but plans are underway to relocate these services to other AHS sites as soon as possible.
- All Cancer Care clinics for new patients scheduled for the Holy Cross have been temporarily relocated to the Tom Baker Cancer Centre for this week. Patient clinics are being held in any available spaces in order to maintain patient volume.
- All existing cancer care patients with appointments at the Holy Cross will be assessed and contacted with information on cancellations and rescheduling. More information will be shared on Calgary cancer care clinic plans as they become available.
- Questions about new patient or follow-up appointments should be directed to the Tom Baker switchboard at: 403-521-1722 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. For chemotherapy treatment or appointment questions, please call: 403-521-3735. For radiation treatment or appointment questions, please call: 403-521-3771.
- In Calgary, all diagnostic imaging services such as Ultrasound, X-ray and MRIs are open for business as usual with the exceptions of the Sheldon M. Chumir Urgent Care Centre and Gulf Canada Square.
- AHS has staff at all City of Calgary and most rural reception centres. This includes Home Care and Mental Health workers, Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses and Health Care aids. EMS support is also available to support higher needs in these locations. Physician support can be accessed when requested.
- The Okotoks Urgent Care Centre is now open 24 hours a day to further support the health needs of High River residents. This will continue until normal operations have resumed at the High River Hospital, which remains closed.
- For residents of High River and surrounding areas, physician services for prescription renewal are also now available at the Okotoks Urgent Care Centre.
Banff Mineral Springs Hospital:
- Surgeries postponed today (June 24); limited surgeries are planned for tomorrow (June 25). Patients are being contacted.
- EMS vehicles are able to travel between Banff, Canmore and Calgary with helicopter service available if needed.
- The hospital, including the Emergency Department, is open.
Canmore General Hospital:
- The Emergency Department at Canmore General Hospital is open.
- All patients at Canmore General Hospital are safe and continue to be cared for at the facility.
- Surgeries at Canmore General Hospital were postponed today. Patients were notified.
Canmore Cancer Centre:
- The Canmore Cancer Centre is expected to start treating patients again by this Wednesday, June 26. Patients with scheduled appointments this week at the Canmore Cancer Centre should call 403-678-7200.
- All patients who have been displaced by the flooding should update their contact information by calling the Alberta Cancer Line at 1-888-432-8865.
Central Zone
Drumheller Health Centre:
- Home Care staff will continue to visit clients in homes located in non-evacuated areas, the town’s reception centre, or places these clients may have moved to due to mandatory evacuations.
- Families of patients and residents have been contacted with information on the relocation of loved ones.
- The Emergency Department remains open.
- Cancer clinic, diagnostic imaging, laboratory, public health and mental health appointments are proceeding as scheduled. Clients will be contacted directly if this changes.
- All patients and residents were safely moved out of the Drumheller Health Centre on June 22 as a precautionary measure.
Sundre Hospital & Care Centre:
- The Sundre Hospital & Care Centre has returned to normal operations.
Provincewide
- Health Link Alberta continues to gather and provide location information for patients and continuing care residents who have been moved from evacuation zones. Contact Health Link Alberta at 1-866-408-5465.
- A number of flood-related Boil Water Orders remain in effect across the province.
The Alberta Health Services website is updated frequently with important health information during these local states of emergency and will continue to be updated though the recovery phase. Visit www.albertahealthservices.ca.
Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than 3.9 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.
- 30 -
