Milk River Health Centre will temporarily close its emergency department February 9-13, 2023. (Photo: Koppertone)

By LNN Staff

Milk River emergency department closing again after brief reopening

Feb 9, 2023 | 8:47 AM

MILK RIVER, AB – Alberta Health Services says the Milk River Health Centre Emergency Department will be temporarily closed again starting Thursday, Feb. 9 at 8 a.m. until Monday, Feb. 13 at 8 a.m.

AHS says nursing staff will still be on duty, but there will be a lack of physician coverage at the facility.

Patients are asked to call 911 if they have a medical emergency, but EMS calls will be re-routed to the Raymond Hospital (60 kilometres away) or the Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge (87 kilometres away).

AHS says patients seeking non-urgent medical care are also being asked to travel to Raymond or Lethbridge for treatment.

This is the latest in a series of closures for the Milk River facility. It was closed earlier this week as well as last weekend, and it has closed several times in the past couple of months including at the end of January and over Christmas.

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Alberta Health Services issued a news release stating that it is working hard to ensure local residents have access to the care they need. It also reminds residents to call Health Link at 811 for 24/7 non-emergency health-related questions.

AHS officials say they are thankful for the support of health-care centres and medical staff in surrounding areas, and they would like to thank residents in the community for their patience and understanding during this time.

The AHS news release states that the Milk River Emergency Department will reopen at 8 a.m. on Feb. 13 to provide 24-hour service.