Staffing shortcomings forced the closure of an Interior Health hospital emergency department overnight.
Clearwater residents were without an emergency department from Sunday at 4 p.m. until 7 a.m. Monday, Interior Health said in a public service announcement.
Read more: Interior Health announces temporary service cutbacks to 6 communities, staffing challenges cited
The closure at the Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital was “due to unforeseen limited staffing availability,” according to the health authority.
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Those who were in need of emergency room services were redirected to Royal Inland Hospital.
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In January, Interior Health announced temporary service adjustments to a half-dozen communities, and among those facing cutbacks was Clearwater, as well as Invermere, Lillooet, New Denver, Ashcroft and Barriere.
Read more: Hospital emergency department in Merritt temporarily closed until Christmas, Interior Health says
At that time, Interior Health said service adjustments were due to Omicron-related COVID-19 staffing challenges.
The nature of the staffing shortages this week was not disclosed.
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