CFJC File Photo

By Victor Kaisar

ER Closure

First ER closure of 2025 in Merritt to last 13 hours this Saturday

Feb 8, 2025 | 7:06 AM

MERRITT — Residents in the Merritt area are without emergency room coverage for the first time in 2025 as Interior Health announced a 13-hour closure of the facility this Saturday (Feb. 8).

Emergency services will be unavailable at the Nicola Valley Hospital between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. because of a lack of staff, though Interior Health did not specify whether it was a lack of doctors or nurses.

“Patients can access care at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops during this time,” Interior Health said in a Friday evening news release. “All other inpatient services will continue as normal at Nicola Valley Hospital.”

This is the first closure of the Merritt ER since late December of last year. It’s also the 41st closure of the ER since 2023.

While Merritt Mayor Michael Goetz told CFJC Today that he remains optimistic that there will be improvements in healthcare in his community with a new minister in place, he also said he will continue to bill the province whenever the emergency room is closed.

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As has been the case during all previous emergency room closures, Interior Health says people in Merritt who need life-saving emergency care should call 9-1-1.

People who aren’t sure if they need to head to the emergency room are being told to contact HealthLink BC at 8-1-1.