The Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital in Clearwater. (Image Credit: Kent Simmonds / CFJC Today)

By Victor Kaisar

ER Closures

Emergency rooms in Merritt, Clearwater to be closed overnight Sunday

Feb 23, 2025 | 5:14 PM

KAMLOOPS —Residents in Merritt and Clearwater will be without emergency room (ER) coverage for 13 hours Sunday (Feb. 23) night because of a lack of staff.

Interior Health says the ERs at the Nicola Valley Hospital in Merritt and the Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital in Clearwater will close at 6:00 p.m. Feb. 23 and reopen at 7:00 a.m. Monday, Feb. 24.

People in both communities are being told they can access emergency care at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops, with the 100 Mile House District General Hospital also listed as an option for Clearwater residents.

Interior Health announced the two closures just after 5:00 p.m. Sunday. It’s the second ER closure of the year in Merritt and the first of the year in Clearwater.

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.

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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.