Another 2 BC Interior emergency rooms forced to shut down

Another two BC Interior emergency departments will temporarily shut their doors today and tomorrow.

Interior Health said in a bulletin that the hospital and 100 Mile House and health centre in Keremeos are the unfortunate facilities this time.

In Keremeos, the South Similkameen Health Centre is set to close at 8 am and reopen at 5:30 pm.

Those in need of emergency care have been urged to head to Penticton or Princeton.

In 100 Mile House, the hospital is set to be closed from 7 am today till 8 am on Thursday.

Interior Health’s bulletin said people in need of emergency care should go to Williams Lake’s Cariboo Memorial Hospital during the closure.

It added: “People in the community who need life-threatening emergency care (i.e., chest pains, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding) should always call 911 for transport to the nearest available and appropriate facility.

“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.”