Okanagan hospital’s ER is closed, patients being diverted

The South Okanagan General Hospital's emergency department is closed this afternoon due to limited doctor availability.

Interior Health sent out an advisory this afternoon, July 17, informing South Okanagan residents that patients are being diverted from Oliver until 6 p.m. to the Penticton Regional Hospital on Carmi Avenue in Penticton. Patients will need to travel from Oliver to another facility for emergency care.

Smaller Interior community emergency departments have been closed recently due to staffing shortages, mostly in Ashcroft and Clearwater.

Ashcroft's emergency department has been closed all weekend due to "limited physician availability."

Interior Health is asking residents to call 9-1-1 in the event of an emergency, or visit the emergency department in Penticton.

If you are unsure if you need emergency care, call the HealthLinkB.C. line at 8-1-1.

The emergency department in Oliver is normally open 24/7, according to Interior Health.

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