Emergency room closed in Clearwater until next week

Clearwater residents have no local emergency room service overnight for the next week.

Interior Health issued a public service announcement late yesterday, Aug. 11, to once again say Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital has too few employees to fully staff its emergency department.

Its hours are limited to between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily as of last night. The overnight emergency room closure continues until Aug. 18.

On Friday, Aug. 19, 24-hour service will resume at 7 a.m., according to the health authority.

Interior Health said all other inpatient services will continue as normal at the hospital.

The health authority recommends anyone needing emergency care while the department is closed in Clearwater should call 9-1-1 or they can visit either Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops or 100 Mile House District General Hospital.

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