Service disruptions coming to Coronation Emergency Department
Published 10:19 am Tuesday, October 6, 2026
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The Coronation Emergency Department will have several days without physician coverage over the next few weeks.
In a release on Oct. 6, Alberta Health Services said the disruptions stem from a “clinical personnel shortage and an inability to secure temporary coverage.”
There will be no on-site physician coverage on the following days:
8 a.m. to 8 a.m. on Wednesday-Thursday, Oct. 7-8
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 9
8 a.m. to 8 a.m. on Wednesday-Thursday, Oct. 14-15
During the periods without on-site physician coverage, “nursing staff will remain on-site in the emergency department providing triage, assessments, and referrals for patients to alternate emergency departments in neighbouring communities, as needed.”
AHS notes that a Virtual Emergency Physician (VEP) is currently scheduled to support all or part of these shifts. VEP schedules may be altered; site will make patients aware when there is a VEP on duty.
“The VEP program uses an experienced ED physician to remotely support facilities temporarily without available on-site ED physician support. Site clinical staff can connect with an AHS physician by telephone or videoconference for ED patients with non-life-threatening issues. This off-site virtual physician can collaborate with local staff, speak with patients, order tests and medications, and transfer or discharge patients,” AHS said in its release.
Patients are asked to call 911 if they have a medical emergency during these times. Emergency Health Services will remain available to the community and will be re-routed to surrounding facilities.
Community members are reminded to call Health Link at 811, which is available 24/7 for non-emergency health-related questions. Depending on their needs, patients may also be aware of services available through local pharmacies.
AHS continues to work to find clinical personnel coverage for this time period. If coverage is found, this disruption will be cancelled.
“This is a temporary measure, and AHS is working hard to ensure residents continue to have access to the care they need during this time,” AHS said in the release.
“We are grateful for the support of surrounding healthcare centres and medical staff and would like to thank the community for its patience and understanding during this time.”