Elk Point emerge closed overnight

The Elk Point emerge will be closed again overnight tonight, AHS said on Tuesday.

Due to a lack of registered nursing staff and an inability to secure temporary coverage, AHS said the emergency department at the Elk Point hospital will be closed from 7:00pm on Wednesday, September 14 to 7:00am on Thursday, September 15.

The ED may reopen sooner if coverage can be found.

Patients are asked to call 911 if they have a medical emergency. Nurses will remain on site in acute care. 

Since August, there has been several instances where the ED in Elk Point has been closed due to lack of nursing staff, including two times last week.

“Patient safety and care remain the highest priorities for AHS. The organization is working hard to ensure everyone will receive the care they need through its partnership with EMS and a supportive regional network of healthcare centres,” AHS said in a release. 

“Recruitment of nurses is a challenge across North America. It can be particularly difficult outside of urban centres and with practitioners who bring specialty skills.”