Merritt emergency department experiences sudden, temporary overnight closure

MERRITT, B.C. — Merritt residents didn’t have notice as the city’s emergency department temporarily closed for the fourth time in 2026. 

In a news release issued shortly before 7:00 p.m. Wednesday (July 15), Interior Health says the emergency department at Nicola Valley Hospital would be temporarily closed effective immediately. The emergency room was scheduled to reopen at 7:00 a.m. Thursday (July 16). 

While all other inpatient services continued at Nicola Valley Hospital, residents in the Merritt area in need of emergency care were instructed to make a near hour drive north to Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops. 

Speaking to CFJC Today earlier this week, Merritt Mayor Michael Goetz said he has received advance warnings from Interior Health about eight closures coming to the Nicola Valley Hospital emergency department over the coming months. He did not elaborate.