Staff shortages closing Keremeos ER on Christmas Eve

The Keremeos emergency department will be close all day on Christmas Eve.

An Interior Health Authority press release says the South Similkameen Health Centre emergency department will be closed from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 24, due to a shortage of nurses.

"Emergency services will be unavailable and patients can access care at Penticton Regional Hospital," the release says. "During this time, all other community health services will continue as normal at the South Similkameen Health Centre."

Interior Health says that people that need life-threatening emergency care – for chest pains, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding – should call 911 for transport to the nearest available and appropriate facility.

Anyone who is unsure whether an emergency room visit is warranted can call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1, or visit www.healthlinkbc.ca for information from healthcare professionals 24 hours a day seven days a week.

The South Similkameen Health Centre will reopen on a.m. Dec. 27 as the emergency department in Keremeos is normally closed on Sundays and stat holidays.

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