Merritt and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at Nicola Valley Hospital due to a physician vacancy from 8 a.m. Friday, March 10 to 8 a.m. on Saturday, March 11.
Emergency services will be unavailable and patients can access care at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops. Emergency department services will be available again in Merritt at 8 a.m. Saturday, March 11.
During this time, all other inpatient services will continue as normal at Nicola Valley Hospital.
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 at 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.
The emergency department in Merritt is normally open 24/7.
