Cold Lake hospital can’t offer obstetrical services until 2026 due to doctor shortage
Posted Nov 11, 2025 1:03 pm.
Expectant parents in Cold Lake, in the eastern part of Alberta, will have to travel to another community to have their baby.
According to an AHS letter shared by the City of Cold Lake on Friday, the Cold Lake Health Care Centre won’t be able to deliver babies until at least January, because they don’t have an obstetrician-gynecologist.
“We’re working to ensure all expecting mothers have the support they need, including having a plan in place for where they will safely deliver their babies during this time,” the letter reads.
Officials say they are continuing to try to hire one — and if they can, services could be restored.
In a statement to 660 NewsRadio, AHS says the recruitment struggle means women looking to deliver their babies at the hospital will have to go elsewhere — for now.
AHS says it is having a tough time recruiting physicians province-wide, especially in rural areas. It plans to address the physician shortage and resume services in January.
Officials do say an ambulance could take emergency cases to another town if necessary. Cold Lake is about 300 kilometres from Edmonton, and the nearest hospital is in Bonnyville.
Last year, 174 babies were born at the Cold Lake Healthcare Centre.
