Doctor shortage forces Alberta emergency room closure over long weekend

Another Alberta emergency department will be temporarily shut down due to a lack of doctors.

Alberta Health Services (AHS) announced Thursday that the Bassano Health Centre's emergency department will be closed over the long weekendfrom 5 p.m. on Friday until 8 a.m. on Sept.6.

EMS callswill be rerouted to Brooksand patients seeking care in Bassano can instead access emergency services at the Brooks Health Centre, which islocated 51 kilometres from Bassano,AHS said.

The shortage also forces the temporary consolidation of Bassano Health Centre's four acute care beds to the Brooks Health Centre.

Earlier this summer, Airdrie was forced to close its emergency department due to a shortage of physician availability.

The Fort Saskatchewan Community Hospital has also closed its obstetrics unit for the second time in less than a month due to a lack of specialists.