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Editorial: Urgent Care closures

While the rest of the world is getting back to normal, healthcare workers are continuing to mask and practice social distance. What's more, many are now feeling the added pressure from an imploding health care system. 
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The last few months have given our newsroom a glimpse of normalcy with a return to in-person events, and mask-free water cooler chats. But for those in the healthcare industry, the burnout from the COVID-19 pandemic is just starting to set in.

While the rest of the world is getting back to normal, healthcare workers are continuing to mask and practice social distancing. What's more, many are now feeling the added pressure from an imploding health care system. 

On July 21, an Alberta Health Services' (AHS) press release announced Airdrie's Urgent Care Centre (UCC) would be temporarily closed on weekend evenings throughout the summer. The facility, which had been providing urgent medical care to Airdrie residents 24/7 since 2017, has faced space and staffing issues ever since, but the latest closures are a real blow to the community.

As a result, the shortfall in care will have to be burdened by neighbouring hospitals and health care centres in Calgary and Rocky View County.

The pressure will most certainly also be felt by those healthcare workers who had only just wiped the sweat from their brow and breathed a sigh of relief in the wake of the "fifth wave" of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

In response to AHS' announcement, a number of politicians and healthcare advocates voiced their frustrations.

Airdrie Mayor Peter Brown said the closures are "completely unacceptable" and added it is a move backwards for healthcare. Michelle Bates, executive director of the Airdrie Health Foundation was devastated by the decision, remarking on the impact a lack of emergent care in the community has had on her family.

While MLAs Angela Pitt and Peter Guthrie did not provide an official statement regarding the closures, Pitt took to Facebook to field the frustrations of her constituents.

Meanwhile, NDP health critic and MLA Edmonton-City Centre David Shepherd passed through town on July 26, remarking on what he believes to be the current United Conservative Party (UCP) government's mishandling of health care in the province, the result of which can be seen in the latest urgent care closures. 

While our newsroom cannot speculate the party or individual most responsible for the latest health care crisis, one thing is certain -- it can be felt by those of all political affiliations. 


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