Breaking News: Emergency room at Merritt hospital closed Feb 8

After 21-temporary emergency room closures in 2024, the Nicola Valley Memorial Hospital will experience it first of the calendar year on Saturday Feb. 8th.

Interior Health is warning that due to an unforeseen staff shortage on Saturday, the emergency room will be closed  from 7 am to 6 p.m.

In 2023, there were 19-emergency room closures in the city bringing the number to 40 closures in two years.

Earlier this week, Merritt Mayor Mike Goetz confirmed that he has spoken with newly appointed Health Minister Josie Osbourne saying he wants compensation for the huge number of ER closures.

Goetz noted he wants the Minster to know that Merritt taxpayers are picking up the tab for services that the province is responsible for. He said local firefighters have had to respond to more medical calls when the ER is closed as ambulances often get seconded to transport patients in need of emergency care to facilities like Royal Inland Hospital.

Should residents experience an emergency, you an access care at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops during this time.

Anyone unsure whether an emergency room visit is warranted can call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1, or visit www.HealthLinkBC.ca for non-emergency health information from nurses, dietitians and pharmacists 24 hours a day, seven days per week.