Alberta Health Services (AHS) announced shortly before noon on July 10 that the emergency department at the Stettler Hospital and Care Centre would be temporarily closed.
The closure was effective immediately and would run through until 8 a.m. on July 11, at which time normal services are expected to resume.
Nursing staff remain on-site during this closure and will conduct triage and first-aid for anyone presenting to the facility during the closure.
AHS cites the closure as being caused by "an unexpected gap in physician coverage."
Anyone presenting to the facility will be re-directed to neighbouring facilities in Lacombe, Camrose, Castor, Drumheller or Red Deer, or if needed transported by ambulance.
Ambulance crews transporting patients in the area will divert to these other facilities as well.
No other services at the facility are expected to be impacted.
