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(CARLI BERRY / iNFOnews.ca)
May 29, 2022 - 12:11 PM
Clearwater's emergency department is once again closed due to staffing challenges.
"Clearwater and area residents are advised of a temporary change to the emergency department hours at Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital today due to unforeseen limited staffing availability," according to a press release from Interior Health.
The emergency department is closed until 9 p.m. tonight.
"Interior Health regrets this temporary change to normal operations and reminds residents to take note of the following if they require care while the emergency department is closed," according to the press release.
The health authority is directing patients to Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops in an event of an emergency, or to call 9-1-1.
The emergency department in Clearwater is normally open 24/7. Staffing issues have been ongoing for the health authority.
It's not the first time Clearwater's department has closed in recent weeks. Last weekend, more than 20 staff came from other areas of Interior Health to help out at RIH and at least 14 are committed for this weekend.
READ MORE: How Interior Health is planning to tackle RIH understaffing issues
At a news conference earlier this week, opposition Liberal MLAs Peter Milobar and Todd Stone addressed the crisis at the hospital with data showing staffing levels for three units.
The emergency room was down to 40% staffing levels during the day on Friday, May 20, at 53% that night and 46% for Saturday’s day shift. Ward 3W was staffed at 50% Friday through Saturday. The Intensive Care Unit had higher staffing levels at 58% Friday and 66% Saturday.
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