Staffing shortages are forcing the Arrow Lakes Hospital to close its emergency department for part of the long weekend.
“Nakusp and area residents are advised that, due to unexpected and temporary limited staffing availability, the emergency department at the Arrow Lakes Hospital will be closed from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 1,” a news release from Interior Health said Friday.
Interior Health said it “regrets this closure.”
Anyone needing emergency medical care will be taken to other facilities, including the Health Centre in New Denver, or the hospitals in Revelstoke, Vernon, Trail, or Nelson.
People needing care can also call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 (24 hour service) if they are unsure of their need to seek emergency care.
It’s not the first time staff shortages have forced the emergency department in the village to close this year.
SEE: Sick staff cause Nakusp’s hospital to close Saturday night
In June, staff sickness prompted an overnight closure of the ward.
An official with IH said at the time that they were working to build up the hospital’s back-fill pool.
