Keremeos and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at South Similkameen Health Centre due to limited nursing availability.
From 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 24, emergency services will be unavailable and patients can access care at Penticton Regional Hospital.
During this time, all other community health services will continue as normal at the South Similkameen Health Centre.
People in the community who need life-threatening emergency care (i.e., chest pains, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding) should always call 911 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 South Similkameen Health Centre will reopen on Tuesday, Dec. 27 at 8 a.m.
The emergency department in Keremeos is normally open Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is closed on Sundays and stat holidays.
