The Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre was temporarily diverting some patients with higher care needs earlier this weekend.
Due to the high volume of patients incoming and capacity challenges, these patients were being diverted from 1:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Alberta Health services said in a statement.
“Two Central Zone patients were diverted to Calgary during this period,” said AHS.
The Red Deer hospital “continues to be exceptionally busy” with increased patient volumes in the emergency department, and patients presenting with high acuity needs, the AHS statement said.
“We continue to do all we can to ensure our patients receive the care they need, when they need it,” said AHS.
“The site is also using a range of measures to help manage patient demand, similar to those used in other hospitals across the province at peak times. They include discharging patients with appropriate home supports, managing surgery patients at home instead of in hospital as appropriate, and balancing admissions with other sites in the Zone.”
AHS said it appreciated the “dedication and hard work” shown by AHS staff and physicians at this time.
“We recognize that such measures can impact our patients and we regret the frustration and disruption these steps may cause to patients and their families,” the statement said.
NDP Critic of Health David Shepherd said on Twitter in response to the situation: “Our healthcare system remains in crisis but we see no real action from Danielle Smith and the UCP.”
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