Merritt emergency department closed for 24 hours

The Nicola Valley Hospital emergency department in Merritt is closed today because of a lack of doctors.

According to Interior Health, the emergency department in Merritt will reopen tomorrow, July 5, at 8 a.m.

The health authority cited "unforseen limited physician availability" in a news release issued late in the day yesterday.

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As of 8 a.m. today, July 4, patients in the Merritt area must visit either Kelowna General Hospital or Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops.

In the case of an emergency, Interior Health advises the public to call 9-1-1, or call HealthLink B.C. at 8-1-1 if they are unsure if it's an emergency.

Merritt isn't the only small community in the Interior Health region where its emergency department has temporarily closed.

Last week, the Clearwater emergency department was closed for the third time since June 25 due to a lack of staff.

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