CALGARY -- The PrimeCARE Clinic in the Douglasglen neighbourhood of southeast Calgary closed Monday, along with two other PrimeCARE clinics in Grande Prairie and Carstairs.

A notice was posted on the clinic's website  Monday confirming the news.

"Effective immediately, all PrimeCARE Health offices are now permanently closed," it said. "If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please proceed to the nearest emergency room."

A voicemail message at the Grande Prairie business tells callers: "Unfortunately our clinic is closed until further notice. if this is an emergency, please phone 911 or proceed to your nearest emergency room. We apologize for the inconvenience. This is a message for all clients of PrimeCARE."

According to an article in mygrandprairienow.com, the move caught both patients and one anonymous employee who worked in the northern Alberta clinic by surprise.

According to the anonymous employee, the Grande Prairie clinic had experienced a decline in patients over the past six months, as well as the loss of several staff members, including doctors, an occupational therapist and a psychologist.

Becky Spencer's Jump for Joy Cleaning company had a contract with the Carstairs clinic for two years.

Spencer described the closure of the clinic as "shocking to us.

"We haven't been paid for our cleaning there since August," she said, saying the clinic owes her company just over $8000.

The clinic's owner, Dr. Femi Adekeye, sent his employees a message announcing the closure, and promising to pay outstanding salaries by January 17.

In a phone interview with CTV, Adekeye said, "Businesses close all the time. This is a private business, I'm not sure I want to get into this."

Alberta Health Services (AHS) said it has no role in the operations of the private clinic.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons wouldn't say if any complaints have been filed, adding that the public would be told about complaints if they go to a hearing.

The South Calgary Primary Care Network said arrangements were being made for patients to retrieve their medical records. They were also directing patients who were looking for a new doctor.

With files from Alexandra Antoneshyn