UPDATE:
The Ponoka Emergency Department (ED) will be without on-site physician coverage on Sunday, Nov. 19 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. This is a temporary measure due to an unexpected lack of available physicians and inability to secure temporary coverage.
During this time, nursingstaff will remain on-site in the ED providing urgent triage and assessments and referrals for patients.
Patients are asked to call 911 if they have a medical emergency. EMS remains available and will be re-routed to alternate EDs in neighbouring communities.
AHS is working hard to ensure residents continue to have access to the care they need during this time. Depending on their needs, patients seeking care at the ED in Ponoka may also be made aware of services available through local pharmacies. Residents are reminded to call Health Link at 811, which is available 24/7 for non-emergency health-related questions.
ORIGINAL STORY:
Due to an unexpected lack of available physicians and the inability to secure temporary physician coverage, the Ponoka Emergency Department (ED) will be temporarily without on-site physician coverage from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today, Nov. 18.
During this time, nursing staff will remain on-site in the emergency department providing urgent triage and assessments, and referrals for patients.
Patients are asked to call 911 if they have a medical emergency.
EMS remains available and will be re-routed to alternate Emergency Departments in neighbouring communities.
This is a temporary measure and AHS is working hard to ensure residents continue to have access to the care they need during this time.
Depending on their needs, patients seeking care at the ED in Ponoka may also be made aware of services available through local pharmacies. Residents are reminded to call Health Link at 811, which is available 24/7 for non-emergency health-related questions.