File photo (Image credit: CFJC Today).

By Aaron Schulze

Cariboo Memorial Closure

Emergency services in Williams Lake temporarily unavailable for fourth time in July

Jul 10, 2024 | 5:18 AM

WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. — For the fourth time in a week and eighth time overall in 2024, the emergency department at Cariboo Memorial Hospital in Williams Lake is temporarily closed.

Interior Health (IH) states that emergency services at Cariboo Memorial Hospital will be temporarily unavailable from 11:30 p.m. Tuesday (July 9) until 7:30 a.m. Wednesday due to “limited nursing availability.”

While staffing on shifts is often behind the closures, Diane Shendruk, the vice president of clinical operations for IH North, recently told CFJC Today the problem goes deeper, with unfilled job openings around the Interior. Although she notes five new physicians have recently been hired for the Williams Lake area 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.

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.

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