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Service disruptions planned for Shellbrook Hospital Emergency Department

May 2, 2011 | 6:55 PM

Emergency department services at the Shellbrook Hospital will be suspended Tuesday night because there is no physician available to take call.

“There has been a challenge in meeting the requirements for on call coverage,” said Doug Dahl, communications officer for the Prince Albert Parkland Health Region.

From 5 p.m. Tuesday until 8 a.m. Wednesday, the emergency department will not be available to the public.

There will be similar closures on May 24 and May 26.

A physician that made a commitment to work in Shellbrook for six months has completed his time in the community and the health region is struggling to fill that void.

“Now that he is no longer in the community, there has been some gaps and unfortunately we have not been able to fill all of them,” Dahl said.

The rest of the physicians in Shellbrook continue to provide call at all other times, with additional support from Prince Albert-based physicians.

The health region is looking a implementing a more permanent solution, but cannot confirm what that is at this time, said Dahl.

During the closures ambulance providers will be notified, and they will bypass the Shellbrook Hospital.

If there is a serious illness or injury, the public is asked to call 911 for an ambulance or travel to the nearest open emergency department. If there are other inquiries, people can also contact HealthLine at 1-877-800-0002.

ahill@panow.com