Ponoka Emergency Department to temporarily close on Sunday night

Due to an unexpected gap in clinical personnel, the Ponoka Hospital and Care Centre emergency department (ED) will be temporarily closed overnight from 10 p.m. on Sunday, June 22, to 8 a.m. on Monday, June 23.

During this time, nursing staff will remain on-site in the emergency department providing assessments and referrals for patients to alternate emergency departments in neighbouring communities, as needed.

Patients are asked to call 911 if they have a medical emergency during these times. EMS will remain available to the community and will be re-routed with patients to surrounding facilities, as needed.

Other services at the Ponoka Hospital and Care Centre are not impacted by this temporary ED closure.

Community members are reminded to call Health Link at 811, which is available 24/7 for non-emergency, health-related questions. Depending on their needs, patients may also be aware of services available through local pharmacies.

Alberta Health Services (AHS) continues to work to find alternate clinical personnel coverage for this time period. If coverage is found, this service advisory will be cancelled.

This is a temporary measure, and AHS is working to ensure residents continue to have access to the care they need during this time.