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March 20, 2023

Sylvan Lake Advanced Ambulatory Care Service closing early Monday

Mar 20, 2023 | 1:01 PM

Due to an unexpected gap in physician coverage this evening, officials with Alberta Health Services say the Sylvan Lake Advanced Ambulatory Care Service (SLAACS) will be closing at 2 p.m. on Monday, March 20, 2023.

Normal hours of operation from 7:30 a.m. until 10 p.m. are expected to resume March 21.

AHS says this closure is a temporary measure taken as a last resort after options for securing alternative coverage have been exhausted. Officials say such a closure is necessary for patient safety as the Service cannot operate without a physician onsite.

Patients arriving at the Sylvan Lake Community Health Centre to receive care at the Advanced Ambulatory Care Service during the closure will be redirected to other available care options as appropriate to their needs. These options include returning when the service resumes March 21, 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.

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.