Another South Okanagan emergency room will be closed Christmas Eve

The emergency department in Oliver will be closed throughout the night on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day morning due to staffing shortages.

According to an Interior Health Authority media release, the emergency department at the South Okanagan General Hospital will be closed from 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve until 8 a.m. Christmas Day.

Anyone needing emergency services is told to go to Penticton Regional Hospital.

"During this time, all other inpatient services will continue as normal at South Okanagan General Hospital," the release says.

Interior Health says limited physician and nursing availability is responsible for the closure.

This is the second emergency department to close its doors in the Southern Okanagan. Keremeos emergency department will be closed all day on Christmas Eve.

Anyone needing life-threatening emergency care – for chest pains, difficulty breathing, or severe bleeding – should call 911 for transport to the nearest available and appropriate facility.

If you are unsure whether an emergency room visit is warranted call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1, or visit www.healthlinkbc.ca for information from healthcare professionals 24 hours a day seven days a week.

The emergency department in Oliver is normally open 24/7.

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