Due to gaps in physician coverage, the Sylvan Lake Advanced Ambulatory Care Service (SLAACS) is temporarily closed today (March 28) from 7:30 a.m. until 10 p.m.

Normal business hours will resume on March 29 at 7:30 a.m. 

Patients arriving at the Sylvan Lake Community Health Centre to receive care from SLAACS during a closure will be redirected to other available care options as appropriate to their needs. 

Patients can also access medical care for urgent health concerns from facilities in nearby communities, including Red Deer and Rocky Mountain House. Appointments scheduled with other services at the health centre, including Public Health or laboratory, are not impacted by temporary closures of SLAACS. 

Sylvan Lake Advanced Ambulatory Care Service offers diagnosis and treatment of urgent but non-life-threatening conditions. Examples of urgent needs include minor cuts or burns, muscle and joint strains, bone fractures, and fever in young children. 

SLAACS is not for life-threatening emergencies such as heart attack, signs/symptoms of stroke, head trauma, seizures etc. Patients requiring emergency medical care should call 911. 

AHS and local medical staff recognize that temporary closures are concerning to the community and continue to collaborate to secure additional supports for SLAACS in order to maintain regular service hours while providing adequate time for physicians to meet their professional obligations. 

Additional new physicians are expected to be arriving early this year to support SLAACS and community-based services.