File photo (Image credit: CFJC Today).

By Aaron Schulze

Nicola Valley Hospital

Merritt emergency department closed temporarily; first closure of 2024

Feb 9, 2024 | 9:01 AM

MERRITT, B.C. — The emergency department at Nicola Valley Hospital in Merritt is closed until 8:00 a.m. Saturday (Feb. 10) due to limited physician availability.

In a news release issued Friday (Feb. 9) morning, Interior Health says while emergency services are temporarily unavailable in Merritt, all other inpatient services will continue as normal.

Patients in Merritt and area can access emergency care at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops during the closure.

It’s the first closure for the Merritt emergency department since late November 2023.

Residents in Merritt and area who need life-threatening emergency care are told to call 9-1-1 for transport to the nearest available and appropriate facility.

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Anyone who is unsure whether an emergency room visit is needed can call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 non-emergency health information from nurses, dietitians and pharmacists.