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Sylvan Lake Advanced Ambulatory Care Service (rdnewsNOW file photo)
Monday and Wednesday

Another temporary closure of Sylvan Lake Advanced Ambulatory Care Service

Feb 13, 2023 | 9:59 AM

The Sylvan Lake Advanced Ambulatory Care Service (SLAACS) will experience some temporary closures this week, according to Alberta Health Services (AHS).

AHS says due to gaps in physician coverage, the Service will be unavailable the following days:

  • Monday, February 13: closed due to physician unavailability. They say the service will resume normal operation on Tuesday, February 14 from 7:30 a.m. and run until 10 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Feb. 15: closed from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will then open from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.. Regular operations resume on February 16 as of 7:30 a.m.

AHS officials say that while efforts to secure substitute coverage continue in an attempt to minimize disruptions for the community, the temporary closures will be necessary as the service cannot operate without a physician onsite.

They say patients arriving at the Sylvan Lake Community Health Centre to receive care at the Advanced Ambulatory Care Service during the temporary closures will be redirected to other available care options as appropriate to their needs. The options include returning when the service resumes, booking an appointment with a family doctor, or calling Health Link at 811 for medical information and advice.

Patients can also access medical care for urgent health concerns from facilities in nearby communities, including Innisfail, Rocky Mountain House and Red Deer.

AHS confirms that booked appointments with other services at the Sylvan Lake Community Health Centre will not be impacted by the temporary closure of SLAACS.

SLAACS offers diagnosis and treatment of urgent but non-life-threatening conditions. Examples of urgent needs include minor cuts or burns, muscle and joint strains, bone fractures, and fever in young children. SLAACS is not for life-threatening emergencies such as heart attack, signs/symptoms of stroke, head trauma, seizures, etc.

Patients requiring emergency medical care should call 911.