Due to a gap in physician coverage, the Sylvan Lake Advanced Ambulatory Care Service (SLAACS) will be temporarily closed today (April 19) from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Normal business hours will resume today at 3 p.m.

Patients arriving at the Sylvan Lake Community Health Centre to receive care from SLAACS during a closure will be redirected to other available care options as appropriate to their needs.

Patients can also access medical care for urgent health concerns from facilities in nearby communities, including Red Deer and Rocky Mountain House. Appointments scheduled with other services at the health centre, including Public Health or laboratory, are not impacted by temporary closures of SLAACS.

Sylvan Lake Advanced Ambulatory Care Service offers diagnosis and treatment of urgent but non-life-threatening conditions. Examples of urgent needs include minor cuts or burns, muscle and joint strains, bone fractures, and fever in young children.

SLAACS is not for life-threatening emergencies such as heart attack, signs/symptoms of stroke, head trauma, seizures etc. Patients requiring emergency medical care should call 911.

AHS and local medical staff recognize that temporary closures are concerning to the community and continue to collaborate to secure additional supports for SLAACS in order to maintain regular service hours while providing adequate time for physicians to meet their professional obligations.

New physicians recently arrived in the community to support SLAACS and community-based services, and recruitment efforts continue.