Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital
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June 25, 2022 - 11:39 AM
A small Interior emergency department has shut down again this weekend due to staffing issues.
Interior Health sent out a notice advising Clearwater residents that the town's emergency department at Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital will be closed tonight, June 25, from 6 p.m. until 7 a.m. June 26. The department was also closed last night.
The closure is due to "limited staffing availability," according to the health authority.
The town's emergency department has been closed on and off for months due to staffing challenges. Earlier this year, staff from rural departments were repositioned to larger urban centres due to staffing shortages.
READ MORE: Severely low staff numbers at Kamloops hospital prompts walkout talks, pleas for help
In an emergency, Interior Health is urging area residents to call 9-1-1 or visit the emergency department at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops.
Residents can also call HealthLinkBC at 8-1-1 if they are unsure if they need to seek emergency care.
The emergency department in Clearwater is normally open 24/7.
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