Physician shortage forces temporary closure of Fort Macleod ER [Video]

Alberta Health Services announced a temporary closure of the Fort Macleod Health Centre’s Emergency Department Monday due to a lack of available physicians.

The closure started Monday at 7 a.m. and was expected to continue until 7 p.m. Monday night.

Nursing staff remained on-site during the closure to provide care for long-term residents, as AHS said it was working hard to ensure local patients can still have access to the care they need during this time.

But this leaves many in the community with few options in the event of a medical emergency.

Anyone requiring assistance before 7 p.m. will need to be rerouted just under 50 kilometres away to Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge.