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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Levi Landry

Levi is a recent graduate of the Communications, Culture, & Journalism program at Okanagan College and is now based in Kamloops. After living in the BC for over four years, he finds the blue collar and neighbourly environment in the Thompson reminds him of home in Saskatchewan. Levi, who has previously been published in Kelowna’s Daily Courier, is passionate about stories focussed on both social issues and peoples’ experiences in their local community. If you have a story or tips to share, you can reach Levi at 250 819 3723 or email LLandry@infonews.ca.

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