Doctor shortage causes B.C. hospital emergency room to close for 24 hours

A shortage of doctors has forced the temporary closure of Nicola Valley Hospital in Merritt, B.C.

Interior Health said emergency care at the hospital will be closed for 48 hours.

It is reported that services will reopen at 8am on Tuesday.

The health authority says all other inpatient services at Merritt Hospital will continue as normal.

Patients requiring emergency care can access services at the Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops, located approximately 85 kilometres away.

Interior Health says people who need “life-threatening emergency care,” such as chest pain, difficulty breathing or severe bleeding, should call 911 to be taken to the nearest available facility.

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