Some general surgery patients from the Red Deer Regional Health Centre (RDRHC) could see their surgeries diverted to other hospitals, including the Drumheller Health Centre, in a temporary diversion.
Surgery diversions began as of Friday, April 29 and, as of 8 a.m. Monday, May 2, a total of seven general surgery patients were diverted to sites outside the Central Zone in Edmonton or Calgary; at this time, no diverted patients have been seen at the Drumheller Health Centre.
“Scheduled procedures in Drumheller will not be impacted, and emergent cases continue to be booked based on clinical priority with the most urgent needs seen first,” a statement from Alberta Health Services (AHS) says.
These diversions have been implemented “due to several factors,” according to the statement, among them a “shortage of clinical assistants” to help support general surgeries in RDRHC.
So far these diversions have only impacted the general surgery program, which includes procedures from appendectomies (appendix surgeries), bowel restrictions, laparotomies to examine abdominal organs, and gallbladder removal.
“Depending on their condition, patients will be diverted to other surgical sites within the Central Zone-including Camrose, Rocky Mountain House, and Drumheller-or to facilities in Edmonton and Calgary,” the spokesperson told the Mail.
While AHS recognizes surgical patients facing diversion to other facilities may experience some stress and anxiety, the spokesperson adds all other efforts to avoid diverting these patients have been exhausted. Medical teams from multiple facilities are working to create a smooth transition in care for these affected patients.
“Between November 1 (2021) and April 30 (2022), approximately 104 hires have been made at the site (RDRHC), in the priority areas of OR (Operating Room), ED (Emergency Department), and ICU,” the spokesperson said.
The facility continues its recruitment efforts for three General Surgery Clinical Assistants, along with three Clinical Assistant positions for Anesthesia to help alleviate pressures on the general surgery program at RDRHC.
Other recruitment efforts also include four Operating Room nurse positions, and physicians for its Emergency Department, General Internal Medicine, and Cardiology departments.

Motorcycle season has officially kicked off with the return of the Badlands Blessing of the Bikes and charity poker run on Saturday, May 7. The Blessing of the Bikes was a regular tradition in the Drumheller Valley and was put on a brief hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Its previous organizers have since moved out of the community and Jeremy MacKenzie of Hoodoo Voodoo has taken up the torch to organize what he hopes will once again become an annual tradition to support and celebrate the local riding community. The poker run from Yavis’ Prop Lounge to Rosedale, Rockyford, Carbon, and ending at the Last Chance Saloon raised a total of $350 for the local Salvation Army, with a large portion of the winnings donated back to the pot according to Mr. MacKenzie; $250 in donations were also collected towards a GoFundMe for fellow rider John Punter from Eckville who was recently involved in a serious motorcycle accident. Salvation Army Majors Robert and Laura Burrell attended the event to pray for a safe riding season and offer individual blessings and prayers for some 25 riders who attended.