Milk River Health Centre will be closing its Emergency Department over the holidays. (Photo: Koppertone)

By Sarah Jones

Lack of staff temporarily closes Milk River Emergency Department over the holidays

Dec 24, 2022 | 11:30 AM

MILK RIVER, AB – Starting at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 23, 2022, the Milk River Health Centre Emergency Department (ED) will be temporarily closing its doors.

In a media release from Alberta Health Services (AHS), a lack of physicians is to blame for the closure that will span into the new year.

During the temporary closure, nursing staff will remain on-site to attend to long-term care residents but those seeking emergency support will have to access one of the nearby hospitals.

Patients needing emergency services will have to go to the Raymond Health Centre, which is about 60 kilometers away, or Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge, which is 87 kilometers away.

Individuals requiring non-emergency medical care are encouraged to call their family physician or Health Link at #811, which is available 24/7 for non-emergency health-related questions.

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If someone is experiencing a medical emergency, you’re asked to call #911 and EMS calls will be re-routed from either Lethbridge or Raymond.

AHS said in the release, “We are thankful for the support of surrounding healthcare centres and medical staff and would like to thank the community for their patience and understanding during this time.”

The ED in Milk River is set to re-open at 8:00 a.m. on January 3, 2023, to provide its 24-hour service seven days per week.

Read more Lethbridge News Now.