Okanagan posted Nov 9, 2024 @ 12:00pm by Corvin Vaski

BC Interior ER closes for the 39th time this year

Residents in and around Oliver are without an ER for 31 hours as of Saturday afternoon.

The emergency department at South Okanagan General Hospital closed its doors at noon today and will not reopen until 7 pm on Sunday, Nov. 10.

<who> Photo Credit: Interior Health

Interior Health did not state the reason for the closure, but past service interruptions have been due to staffing shortages.

According to data from Interior Health, as well as NowMedia’s own calculations, Oliver’s ER has been closed on more occasions – 39 – than any other facility in the Interior this year.

Residents are asked to access care at Penticton Regional Hospital during the closure.

All other inpatient services will continue as normal at South Okanagan General Hospital.

“People in the community who need life-threatening emergency care (ie, chest pains, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding) should always call 911 for transport to the nearest available and appropriate facility,” wrote Interior Health.

“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.”

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