Another overnight closure at BC Interior emergency department

Yet another emergency department in the BC Interior has been forced to close overnight due to a lack of staff.

This time the unlucky residents affected by the closure are in Clearwater.

The Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital shut down at 10 pm on Thursday night, according to a bulletin from Interior Health, and is set to reopen at 7 am today.

Patients were told by the health authority to head to Kamloops or 100 Mile House for emergency care during the closure.

No other services in Clearwater were affected.

Interior Health added: “People in the community who need life-threatening 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.

“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.”