Image credit: CFJC Today

By Marty Hastings

NURSE SHORTAGE

Emergency department at Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital in Clearwater closes temporarily for third time since May 21

Jun 16, 2024 | 7:17 AM

CLEARWATER — Clearwater and area residents are being advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital due to limited nurse availability.

Emergency services will be unavailable from 6 p.m. on Saturday (June 15) to 7 p.m. on Sunday (June 16), according to a press release from Interior Health issued on Saturday.

Patients can access care at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops or 100 Mile House District General Hospital in 100 Mile House.

All other inpatient services will continue as normal at Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital.

People in the community who need life-saving emergency care, such as chest pains, difficulty breathing and severe bleeding, should always call 9-1-1 for transport to the nearest available and appropriate facility.

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Anyone unsure whether an emergency room visit is warranted can call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 or visit healthlinkbc.ca for non-emergency health information from nurses, dietitians and pharmacists 24 hours a day, seven days per week.

This marks the third time in less than one month that the emergency department at the hospital has been closes due nurse shortages, as it also shut down on June 8 and May 21.