After closing its doors in 2020 as part of Alberta’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Coldale Ambulatory Clinic Reopened last week.
Eight days after services resumed, a doctor at the clinic says the number of patients is increasing.
Dr. Justin Stead said, “I spoke to the doctor who worked last night and it was already very busy and so we are really excited to see it grow, so we are going to continue that load here as well. can keep.”
According to Alberta Health Services, the clinic diagnoses and treats non-urgent, non-life-threatening conditions, ranging from minor cuts and burns to sprains and infections.
Coldale Mayor Jack Van Rijn believes the clinic’s return will make it easier for city residents to access medical services, some of whom have been forced to travel elsewhere for treatment in the past .
“Raymond, Alta., they’re inundated with walk-ins to their emergency department, sometimes with a five-hour wait,” Van Rijn said. “The town of Lethbridge is like that and so is Tauber. Now we have a facility here in Coldale.”
City officials also see that the clinic is helping people from nearby municipalities get treatment.
“It’s about a ten-minute drive from Lethbridge, so anyone with minor injuries or cuts or bruises has to go to the emergency room to get medical care,” said Jonathan Weinswein, manager of government relations with the city.
,[They] Now can come here without facing that wait.”
And in turn, potentially reduce the burden on the health care system, join the newly opened Pharmacist Walk-in Clinic in Lethbridge as a potential alternative to Southern Albertans.
Dr. Stead said, “With so many people facing the crisis of us not having family doctors, it will hopefully be less likely that people don’t need to go to the emergency room for refills of their regular prescriptions.”
The Ambulatory Clinic operates from 5:30 PM to 10:30 PM on weekday evenings and 10 AM to 3 PM on weekends.
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