File photo (Image credit: CFJC Today).

By Aaron Schulze

Cariboo Memorial Closure

Emergency department Cariboo Memorial Hospital temporarily closed for seventh time in 2024

Jul 8, 2024 | 4:27 AM

WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. — A hectic weekend of emergency department staffing shortages in B.C.’s Interior was capped off with another temporary closure in Williams Lake.

Interior Health states that emergency services at Cariboo Memorial Hospital will be temporarily unavailable from 5:30 p.m. Sunday (July 7) until 7:30 a.m. Monday due to “limited nursing availability.”

It’s the second temporary closure of the Williams Lake ER over the weekend, and seventh overall in 2024.

Patients in Williams Lake and area in need of emergency medical care are advised to visit 100 Mile District General Hospital in 100 Mile House, GR Baker Memorial Hospital in Quesnel or Bella Coola General Hospital in Bella Coola during the closure. Interior Health says all other inpatient services will continue as normal.

Elsewhere, the emergency department at Lillooet Hospital is expected to reopen at 8:00 a.m. Monday following a temporary 26-hour closure due to limited physician availability.

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However, the emergency department at Nicola Valley Hospital in Merritt is expected to remain closed until 8:00 a.m. Tuesday following a temporary 48-hour closure.

Residents are asked to call 9-1-1 in the event of an emergency, or HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 24/7 if they’re unsure if they need to seek emergency care.