Due to an unexpected physician absence and inability to secure coverage, the Rocky Mountain House Health Centre emergency department (ED) will be temporarily closed from 4 p.m. January 7 to 8 a.m. January 8.

During this time, officials say nursing staff will remain on-site in the emergency department to triage and provide care to patients as appropriate and determine if transfer of care to a surrounding facility is required.

Patients are asked to call 911 if they have a medical emergency. EMS will remain available to the community and will be re-routed to surrounding facilities, including Red Deer, Drayton Valley, Rimbey and Sundre.

All other services at the Rocky Mountain House Health Centre will continue to operate as normal during the ED closure, officials say.

AHS and local medical staff recognize that temporary closures of the ED are concerning to the community and they continue to collaborate to mitigate closures by seeking locum physician support and through ongoing recruitment efforts to help maintain regular service hours.

AHS says it appreciates the support of surrounding healthcare centres and would like to thank the community for its patience and understanding during this time.