EDMONTON - The Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton is closing eight mental health crisis treatment beds.
The executive director for Addiction and Mental Health in Edmonton says the beds are being closed due to a shortage of psychiatrists.
Mark Snaterse says two psychiatrists have retired and another is to leave at the end of the month.
He says three new psychiatrists have been hired but won't start work until later this year.
He says the hospital hopes to reopen the treatment beds by early fall.
In the meantime, Snaterse says remaining staff will try to treat the same number of patients.