The ER at Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital is closed Saturday, June 8, 2024.
Interior Health issued the notice Saturday morning, advising that the ER will be closed from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Patients in Clearwater and surrounding area are being directed to access care at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops or 100 Mile House District General Hospital in 100 Mile House during the closure.
The latest closure is being blamed on limited nurse availability.
All other inpatient services will continue as normal at Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital.
People in the community who need life-saving emergency care (i.e., chest pains, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding) should always call 9-1-1 for transport to the nearest available and appropriate facility, notes IH.
Anyone unsure whether an emergency room visit is warranted can call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1, or visit www.HealthLinkBC.ca for non-emergency health information from nurses, dietitians and pharmacists 24 hours a day, seven days per week.
The emergency department in Clearwater is normally open 24/7.
The ER in Williams Lake has also had to close multiple times due to limited nursing staff.
