(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

six new hires

Diversion of general surgeries from Red Deer Regional over

Jul 5, 2022 | 3:23 PM

The surgical diversion at Red Deer Regional Hospital has finally ended.

Diversions of general surgeries, which means procedures such as appendectomies, bowel resections, laparotomies and gallbladder removals, began April 29 and ended July 4 — a span of 66 days.

In that time, Alberta Health Services says, 332 general surgery procedures were still done at Red Deer Regional, while 149 were diverted.

That includes to Edmonton, Calgary, Camrose, Rocky Mountain House and Drumheller.

This came, AHS says, after two clinical assistants departed to further their medical education and training.

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Now, six new clinical assistants have been hired for work at Red Deer Regional.

“Patients who needed emergency surgeries, were medically unstable for transport, and those needing scheduled general surgery procedures continued to be supported in Red Deer during this time,” says AHS.

“We acknowledge that the temporary diversion of some general surgery cases caused strain and anxiety for those patients who were impacted, and we are grateful for their patience during this time. We are also extremely grateful to all our staff and physicians at RDRHC, who continue to work tirelessly to support and care for patients.”

AHS adds that all RDRHC staff, physicians and leaders are extending their gratitude to colleagues at other facilities for the support and collaboration during the diversion.

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