AHS says U of A operating rooms closures part of normal summer 'slowdown'
Alberta Health Services says the closure of two of 14 operating rooms at the University of Alberta hospital is part of the site's "normal surgical slowdown" during summer months.
AHS also cites "physician coverage challenges" as a factor in the temporary closures. It says no surgeries will be postponed or rescheduled.
“It is common, especially in the summer – when staffing levels are historically lower as our healthcare workers take more personal time or vacation – for resources to be adjusted to align with available staff,” said Dr. David Zygun, AHS's Edmonton zone medical director.
“Our teams are working hard to balance patient care and service delivery with our available staff and physicians.”
AHS notes that similar closures have happened over the last three years, including the temporary closure of two ORs the last two summers and the closure of three ORs in 2018.
The health authority says the hospital remains open to patients.
"At a time when we should be ramping up surgeries to clear the back log, AHS is closing operating rooms because they don't have enough staff," said Opposition New Democrat Christina Gray, noting similar closures in facilities across the province.
"This is not business as usual," she said.
Last week, AHS said similar temporary closures of acute care beds and emergency departments were routine in summer months.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Another suspect arrested in Toronto Pearson airport gold heist: police
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Hailey and Justin Bieber are expecting their first child
Hailey Rhode Bieber, Canadian musician Justin Bieber's wife, announced her pregnancy on social media on Thursday. Hailey posted a series of photos showing her baby bump alongside husband Justin.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Poilievre-led government 'would never' use notwithstanding clause on abortion, his office says
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Cyclist strikes child crossing the street to catch school bus in Montreal
A video circulating on social media of a young girl being hit by a bike has some calling for better safety and more caution when designing bike lanes in the city. The video shows a four-year-old girl crossing Jeanne-Mance Street in Montreal's Plateau neighbourhood to get on a school bus stopped on the opposite side of the street