Western Hospital emergency department closing early over weekend

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

The department will close at 4 p.m. on July 5, 6 and 7, Health P.E.I. announced in a news release Thursday.

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.