Temporary closures plague health-care facilities in B.C.’s interior Saturday
Posted October 7, 2023 3:25 pm.
Last Updated October 7, 2023 3:26 pm.
People in B.C.’s interior are unable to access certain health-care services Saturday.
Interior Health posted two notices Friday and another Saturday, alerting patients of staffing shortages that are causing three health-care facilities to enforce temporary closures.
In New Denver, the Slocan Community Health Centre’s emergency department is unavailable from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Saturday due to limited staffing availability. Patients in need of emergency services are being redirected to Arrow Lakes Hospital in Nakusp, according to Island Health, which is a 30-minute drive northwest.
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In Keremeos, the South Similkameen Health Centre’s walk-in services are closed between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday due to limited nursing availability. Patients with urgent needs are being redirected to Penticton Regional Hospital, according to Island Health, which is about a 40-minute drive northeast.
In Oliver, the South Okanagan General Hospital’s emergency department will be unavailable between 6 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. Sunday. Island Health says patients can access care at Penticton Regional Hospital during this temporary closure, which is about a 30-minute drive north.
These closures are not a rare occurrence in B.C.’s interior right now, as temporary closures have been plaguing health care facilities across the interior for a matter of months now.
