Emergency room at Merritt’s hospital closing temporarily

Medical emergencies in Merritt and area are being directed to Kamloops again as the local hospital's emergency department will close overnight.

Nicola Valley Hospital has a shortage of nurses, so the emergency department is closed from 6:30 p.m. today, Feb. 17, to 8 a.m. tomorrow, according to an Interior Health news release. It's normally open 24/7.

It's the third closure in roughly a month, but the previous two temporary closures were due to a lack of doctors.

People with life-threatening emergencies are urged to call 911 for transport, Interior Health said.

The health authority said those who can travel on their own can find emergency care at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops.

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