Clearwater and area residents are advised of ongoing temporary changes to overnight emergency department (ED) hours at Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital due to limited nursing availability.
Emergency services will not be available from 6 p.m. on Aug. 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, Sept. 1 and Sept. 2 until 7 a.m. the following mornings.
The emergency department will be open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on all these dates.
When service is not available, patients can access care at:
- Royal Inland Hospital – 311 Columbia Street, Kamloops
- 100 Mile House District General Hospital – 555 Cedar Avenue South, 100 Mile House
People in the community who need life-threatening emergency care (i.e., chest pains, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding) should always call 9-1-1 for transport to the nearest available and appropriate facility.
Anyone unsure whether an emergency room visit is warranted can call HealthLink BC (8-1-1), or visit www.HealthLinkBC.ca for non-emergency health information from nurses, dietitians and pharmacists 24 hours a day, seven days per week.
Other inpatient services at Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital are not impacted by the change to the ED and continue as normal.
The emergency department in Clearwater is normally open 24/7.
