Merritt’s emergency department closed until tomorrow morning

Emergency health services are unavailable in Merritt today, yet again.

The latest closure of the Nicola Valley Hospital’s emergency department came into effect at 8 a.m. today, March 10, and will last for 24 hours, according to a press release from the Interior Health Authority.

This is the seventh closure in the past three months. Emergency services were also disrupted on Dec. 20, Jan. 8, Jan. 16, Feb. 7, Feb. 17, and Feb. 21. Merritt’s ERis supposed to be open 24/7.

Interior Health said today's closure is due to a physician vacancy.

Patients from the Merritt area who need emergency care are advised to go to Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops.

"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," the health authority said.

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