Prince Edward Island’s Western Hospital closed its emergency department on Wednesday due to a “temporary staffing shortage.” The temporary closure of the facility located in Alberton, P.E.I., marks the fourth time this month that the hospital’s ER has been forced to shut its doors.
According to hospital officials, the emergency department is scheduled to resume regular operations on Thursday, operating during its normal hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. In the interim, residents requiring urgent medical care are being directed to Prince County Hospital in Summerside, which is located approximately an hour’s drive away.
In a news release issued Tuesday evening, Health PEI advised residents in the West Prince area to call 911 for medical emergencies or dial 811 for non-urgent health advice and guidance. The recurring closures highlight ongoing staffing challenges facing healthcare facilities across the province.
