Lack of doctors forces temporary closure of Oliver emergency room

The emergency department at the South Okanagan General Hospital is being temporarily closed as there aren’t enough doctors available to staff it.

There will be no emergency operations from 8 a.m. Sunday to 8 a.m. Monday. It will re-open until 6 p.m., but will then close again until 8 a.m. Tuesday morning.

Get weekly health news

Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday.

Sign up for weekly health newsletter Sign Up

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

The region has been struggling with a doctor shortage for more than a year.

There were fears in April the emergency room would have to close because there weren’t enough physicians, but this is the first time since April of 2016 the ER has actually shut down.

READ MORE: Staffing shortages plague Oliver Hospital ER

The former chief of staff, Dr.Peter Entwistle, resigned over staffing problems in the emergency room and other operational issues.

-with files from Shelby Thom