Hours of operation at Bow Island Health Centre ER reduced CHATNEWSTODAY file

By Brian Konrad

HEALTH CARE

Staff shortage means further restrictions for emergency room at Bow Island Health Centre

Mar 14, 2025 | 5:35 AM

The emergency department at the Bow Island Health Centre will be temporarily closed for one week starting 7 a.m. on Friday.

Officials say that is because of an ongoing shortage of clinical personnel and the inability to replace them.

When the department re-opens on March 21, the hours of operation will be from 7 a.m. Fridays to 7 a.m. Mondays.

The ER will be closed from 7 a.m. Mondays through 7 a.m. Fridays.

Those restrictions will be in place until further notice.

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During the temporary closure, nursing staff will remain on-site to provide care for remaining acute care patients and long-term care residents.

Admissions to acute care have been paused for the time being.

This is the second time this month the emergency department at Bow Island has faced a temporary closure due to staff shortages.

In a release, Alberta Health Services (AHS) is actively recruiting for positions in the community and 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 kilometres away.