Alberta Health Services Central Zone says it has yet to determine whether Sylvan Lake will get an urgent care centre despite contrary claims by an area committee advocating for the service.
Sylvan Lake and area have been fighting for a facility that’s open seven days a week with extended hours, laboratory and x-ray services, and non-life-threatening medical care.
On Tuesday, the Sylvan Lake and Area Urgent Care Committee reported its request didn’t make it into the AHS Central Alberta Zone Integration Plan for the next five years, or in the long-term.
Kerry Bales, AHS Central Zone senior vice president, disagreed.
“No decision has been made about the urgent care services in Sylvan Lake.
“The committee’s recent assertion that Sylvan Lake isn’t being included in Central Zone planning process is inaccurate,” Bales said.
He could not say where the urgent care centre ranked among AHS’s priorities in Central Alberta.
“At this point it’s too early in the planning piece to make that determination.”
AHS is still working on a plan with the Sylvan Lake and Area Urgent Care Committee, he said.
“Part of the planning is evaluating what the community needs might be, looking at both some of the long-term and shorter term things we might be able to do to address some of the concerns that are being brought forward by the committee.”
szielinski@www.reddeeradvocate.com