Alberta Health Services has announced a temporary closure of the Milk River Health Centre Emergency Department, May 23, 2023. (Photo: Pattison Media)

By David Opinko/LethbridgeNewsNOW

Milk River emergency department temporarily closed

May 24, 2023 | 10:12 AM

MILK RIVER, AB – Residents in Milk River will need to travel out-of-town for emergency healthcare for the time being.

Alberta Health Services (AHS) said the Milk River Health Centre Emergency Department is temporarily closed, effective immediately. It will reopen at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 26, for 24-hour service.

AHS reports that the closure is due to a lack of physician coverage.

Anyone in the community who is experiencing a medical emergency during the closure period is asked to phone 911. EMS calls will be re-routed to the Raymond Health Centre (60 kilometres away) or Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge (87 km away).

Those with non-urgent health-related matters can call Health Link at 811 at any time of the day.

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Nursing staff will remain on-site to provide care for long-term care residents.

AHS said it is working hard to ensure residents continue to have access to the care they need during this time.