The emergency department of Fort Macleod Health Centre will temporarily be closed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 19.

The temporary closure is the result of a physician shortage and regular 24-hour service will resume Friday morning.

Nursing staff will remain on-site during the closure to provide care for long-term care residents.

In the event of a medical emergency, Alberta Health Services advises residents and visitors to the community to call 911. EMS calls will be re-routed to Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge (49 kilometres away).

Emergency services are also available at the health centres in Pincher Creek and Cardston, or at Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge.

Non-emergency support is also available by calling Health Link at 811, and AHS advises that “individuals requiring non-emergency medical care are also encouraged to call their family physician.”

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