Western Hospital emergency department closing early over Easter weekend

Health P.E.I. advises anyone with emergency medical needs to call 911. (Steve Bruce/CBC - image credit)
Health P.E.I. advises anyone with emergency medical needs to call 911. (Steve Bruce/CBC - image credit)

The emergency department at Western Hospital in Alberton, P.E.I., is closing early over the Easter weekend due to a lack of staffing.

The department will close at 4 p.m. on March 29, 30 and 31, Health P.E.I. announced in a news release Friday.

It will reopen Monday for regular hours, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Health P.E.I. advised anyone with emergency medical needs to call 911 or seek emergency services in any of these situations:

  • discomfort or tightness in the chest.

  • unusual shortness of breath.                         

  • abdominal pain.

  • prolonged and persistent headache or dizziness.

  • an injury that may require stitches or involve a broken bone.

  • a child with prolonged diarrhea or vomiting.

  • a fever of 38 C or higher in an infant under six months of age.

If you have any health concerns or need immediate health information, call 811 to speak to a registered nurse.