19th closure for Nicola Valley Hospital ER

MERRITT — Right after the announcement of $ 7.5 million in funds for emergency services, the Nicola Valley Hospital’s emergency department will be closed today (Oct 20) due to staffing shortages. Interior Health Authority announced in a press release that the ER will be closed for 24 hours from 8 a.m. on Friday to 8 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21.

While inpatient services will continue at the hospital during this time, emergency services will be unavailable, and patients are asked to access care at Kamloops’ Royal Inland Hospital.

IHA added that those in need of life-threatening emergency care, such as chest pains, difficulty breathing, and severe bleeding, should always call 9-1-1 for transport to the nearest available facility. Those unsure whether or not a trip to the ER is warranted should call 8-1-1 to speak with HealthLink BC for non-emergency health information.

A provincial pledge of 7.5-million dollars to recruit doctors in the southern Interior is welcome but the mayor of Merritt says the funds don’t solve the real reason behind repeated closures of the emergency room at the Nicola Valley Hospital.

Mike Goetz says the E-R has shut down 19 times so far this year because of a shortage of nurses, not doctors. He’s hoping he can “tweak” the funds to attract trained nurses — although Health Minister Adrian Dix has already said the cash is part of a deal set to be signed with doctors. The province says the multi-million dollar funding commitment covers doctors for the Merritt hospital and facilities in Salmon Arm and Oliver –and Goetz says he’s trying to determine how much is earmarked for the Nicola Valley.