UPDATE: Temporary closure of Ponoka emergency department avoided on Tuesday

Alberta Health Services (AHS) has cancelled a previously announced temporary closure of the Ponoka Hospital and Care Centre emergency department (ED) on Tuesday.

Officials say a gap in physician coverage from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. has been filled and patients in need of emergency care continue to be admitted to the ED at this time.

All other services at the site also continue to operate as normal.

When gaps in physician coverage are identified, AHS says they have processes in place to seek locum coverage in order to avoid disruptions to services. In the majority of instances, they say these processes are successful, and services continue uninterrupted.