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AHS announces temporary closure of Ponoka emergency department

The provincial health authority announced the temporary closure of the Ponoka Hospital and Care Centre emergency department on March 22 citing a “gap in physician coverage.”
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(Josh Berson photo)

The provincial health authority announced the temporary closure of the Ponoka Hospital and Care Centre emergency department on March 22 citing a “gap in physician coverage.”

In the release, Alberta Health Services (AHS) notes that emergency department services at the facility will be closed from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thu, March 23.

The third such closure in recent weeks, patients requiring emergency department services will be directed to hospitals in surrounding communities.

AHS advises that any patients presenting to the Ponoka Hospital emergency department will be seen by nursing staff, assessed, then, if necessary, transported by ambulance to surrounding facilities if they are unable to make their own way there.

Non-urgent cases could be redirected to other options, such as 811 or family doctor.

Ambulance crews responding to 911 calls in the Ponoka area will be routed to surrounding facilities, such as hospitals in Wetaskiwin, Lacombe or Red Deer, should their patients require being seen in hospital.

“This is a temporary measure taken as a last resort after being unable to secure coverage,” said Heather Kipling, an AHS communications officer, in the release.

“All other services at the site continue to operate as normal. AHS is grateful for the support of surrounding healthcare centres and medical staff, and would like to thank the community for its patience and understanding.”

The Ponoka Hospital emergency department will resume normal, 24-hour operations as of 5 p.m. on March 23.



Kevin Sabo

About the Author: Kevin Sabo

I’m Kevin Sabo. I’ve been a resident of the Castor area for the last 12 years and counting, first coming out here in my previous career as an EMT.
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