Sixth overnight closure in July coming to Clearwater ER

CLEARWATER, B.C. — The emergency room at the Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital in Clearwater will be closed for the sixth time this month, and seventh this year.

Interior Health says the ER will be closed for 13 hours between 6:00 p.m. Saturday (July 11) and 7:00 a.m. Sunday (July 12). It’s the latest in a string of overnight ER closures that have hampered operations at the facility.

People in need of emergency care are being told to head to Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops or 100 Mile District General Hospital in 100 Mile House during this closure.

“Interior Health recognizes that these changes may have a significant impact on the community and that transparent notification is important,” the health authority said in a statement.