With no physician coverage available, the Shellbrook Hospital Emergency Department will not be open the weekend of Nov. 4 to 6, according to Prince Albert Parkland Health Region.
Acute care service disruptions at the Shellbrook Hospital began on Aug. 2 and inpatient acute care is not provided until a sustainable physician on-call rotation can be maintained.
The inpatient beds are being utilized for non-acute patients, including individuals who are waiting for placement in long-term care facilities.
Emergency services at the Shellbrook Hospital will resume Friday, Nov. 11 for weekend coverage including Remembrance Day at 8 a.m. Following the Remembrance Day weekend service is again open each Friday from 6 p.m. until the following Monday morning at 8 a.m. Ambulance services are available 24-hours per day, and will bypass Shellbrook Hospital from Sundays at midnight to Fridays at 6 p.m. The region has been operating the emergency department on weekends since Aug. 2.
The region, in partnership with the Town of Shellbrook, is operating a primary health care clinic with visiting physicians, primarily from Prince Albert, as well as a nurse practitioner. This clinic is located in the current physician clinic location across from the Shellbrook Hospital. The hours of operation at the two medical clinics is 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays, excluding statutory holidays.
If individuals want information outside of regular clinic hours, they are encouraged to call Saskatchewan HealthLine for medical advice 24-hours a day, seven days a week. The HealthLine number is 1-877-800-0002. The HealthLine is a toll-free health advice line that is staffed by registered nurses. They can provide you with immediate, professional health advice or information, and direct you to the most appropriate source of care. HealthLine will help you decide whether you should treat your own symptoms, go to a clinic, wait to see your doctor, or go to a hospital emergency room. HealthLine is also available online at www.health.gov.sk.ca/healthline
