A statement from Island Health said a nursing shortage led to the 12-hour closure of the emergency room at Saanich Peninsula Hospital.
The temporary closure meant the hospital’s ER did not accept new patients between 7 p.m. Saturday and 7 a.m. Sunday morning.
The Emergency Department at Saanich Peninsula Hospital is not accepting new patients until 7 a.m. tomorrow due to a staffing issue. Please go to the Emergency Departments at Victoria General Hopsital or Royal Jubilee Hospital if you require emergency services or call 9-1-1. pic.twitter.com/U7seYblgyN
— Island Health (@VanIslandHealth) August 22, 2021
“Please go to Victoria General Hospital or Royal Jubilee Hospital if you require emergency services,” read a tweet sent out Saturday evening.
“(We) try our very best to cover shifts but there are times, despite these efforts, that these temporary shortages occur,” read the statement.
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It is not clear how many patients had to receive care in the emergency departments at Victoria General or Royal Jubilee Hospitals rather than Saanich Peninsula Hospital.
“We understand the impact this had on area residents who may have required emergency services last evening, and we apologize for this temporary diversion,” it read.
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