Health posted Nov 6, 2024 @ 06:05am by Iain Burns

Okanagan ER shuts down for 38th time this year

A BC Interior emergency room has been forced to close for the 38th time this year.

Interior Health said last night that South Okanagan General Hospital, in Oliver, will not be capable of providing emergency care between 5 pm on Tuesday and 11 pm on Wednesday.

The health authority gave residents less than two hours’ notice.

No explanation was given for the closure, though staff shortages have previously been to blame.

<who> Photo credit: Interior Health

Anyone in need of urgent care has been urged to head to Penticton.

According to data from Interior Health, as well as NowMedia’s own calculations, Oliver’s ER has been closed on more occasions – 38 – than any other facility in the Interior this year.

Last year, it was also the worst-affected hospital, with 31 closures.

In its public bulletin issued last night, Interior Health said all other inpatient services will continue as normal in Oliver.

It added: “People in the community who need life-threatening emergency care (i.e., chest pains, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding) should always call 911 for transport to the nearest available and appropriate facility.

“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.”

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