New tool shows AHS bed closures or service reductions across Alberta
Alberta Health Services (AHS) created a new tool for residents to check short-term and temporary bed reductions online.
In a news release sent Friday, AHS said it launched a new webpage that will be regularly updated to show emergency or acute care service reductions.
“Patient care is available at all AHS facilities,” AHS said in a statement. “The vast majority of all beds remain open and available for patient care.”
AHS has 8,500 acute care beds and 1,200 emergency department care spaces throughout the province.
According to the health authority, 98.2 per cent of those beds and 97.1 per cent of the care spaces are open and available for patients, respectively.
“Temporary bed closures are not uncommon for AHS or any other health system, especially in the summer – when staffing levels are historically lower as our healthcare workers tend to take more personal time or vacation,” AHS added.
“The system is constantly dynamic, and we manage beds on an hourly and daily basis, depending on patient need, staffing levels, acuity of patients, and may other factors.”
The new website can be found here.
- Shandro says NDP exaggerating health-care shortages, Notley calls bed closures 'very real'
- Hospital staff shortages continue: Grey Nuns in Edmonton faces reduced service levels
- Doctors shortage growing: Locum requests surging in rural hospitals and clinics
Previously, AHS would send press releases announcing some service reductions or bed closures.
According to the new webpage, 26 AHS facilities are experiencing temporary bed closures or service disruptions, including Lacombe, Hanna, Rocky Mountain House, Beaverlodge, Westlock, Lac La Biche, and St. Paul.
Edmonton’s Royal Alexandra Hospital acute care and emergency department are both facing bed reductions, as well as the University of Alberta surgery department – where two of 14 operating rooms are closed due to a “temporary lack of physician coverage.”
The official opposition had been calling on the government to create such a tool. On July 22, Health Minister Tyler Shandro had called the NDP’s demand for public data about service reductions and closures a “ruse” for political gain.
AHS has reassured Albertans multiple times that acute care bed and emergency department service level disruptions are part of staff taking seasonal vacations. The opposition have been concerned that appropriate levels of care would not be accessible to all Albertans, especially in rural areas.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza's vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as cease-fire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife's edge.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.
Putin begins his fifth term as president, more in control of Russia than ever
Vladimir Putin began his fifth term Tuesday as Russian leader at a glittering Kremlin inauguration, setting out on another six years in office after destroying his political opponents, launching a devastating war in Ukraine and concentrating all power in his hands.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.