The Emergency Department (ED) at the Stettler Hospital and Care Centre will be temporarily without on-site physician coverage overnight due to an unexpected gap in coverage August 29. 

As a result, the ED will be closed from 5 p.m. August 29 until 8 a.m. August 30, at which time normal operations will resume.   

AHS is working to ensure local residents continue to have access to the care they need during this time. Nursing staff will remain on-site in the ED providing triage and assessments, and referrals for patients to alternate EDs in surrounding communities as needed. 

Other services at the site are not impacted. On-call physician coverage will be available to support currently admitted inpatients and long-term care residents if needed.  

Patients are asked to call 911 if they have a medical emergency instead of presenting to the ED. During this time, EMS will transport patients requiring emergency care to nearby facilities, including Lacombe Hospital and Care Centre, Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre or the Drumheller Health Centre depending on their condition.  

Residents are reminded to call Health Link at 811, which is available 24/7 for non-emergency, health-related questions.