File Photo/CHAT News

By Jesse Gill

HEALTH CARE

Emergency department at Bow Island Health Centre expands hours

Sep 8, 2025 | 9:35 AM

Alberta Health Services said the Bow Island Health Centre emergency department is extending its hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, and open from 7 a.m. Friday through Monday to 8 p.m.

There is still an ongoing clinical personnel shortage and an inability to secure regular 24-hour coverage seven days a week according to AHS.

AHS said it is grateful to the local physicians for extending coverage hours to include the emergency department, along with the clinic.

Physicians will be on site at the emergency departement between 8 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday for emergent patient and low acuity walk-ins. They will be on-call for patients arriving between 11:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.

When the emergency department is closed, nursing staff will remain on-site to provide care for remaining acute care patients and long-term care residents.

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AHS is actively recruiting for positions in the community and said they are working to ensure local residents continue to have access to the care they need during this time.

Patients are asked to call 911 if they have a medical emergency.

EMS services are prepared to respond to emergency events and support inter-facility transfers to neighbouring sites.

Patients seeking care can access emergency services at the Taber Health Centre or the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital, both 57 km away.

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

Individuals requiring non-emergency medical care are also encouraged to call their family physician.