As one BC Interior ER reopens, another shuts its doors temporarily

Residents in and around Lillooet and Clearwater are experiencing emergency department closures this weekend.

The ER at the Lillooet Hospital and Health Centre closed its doors at 7 pm last night and remained shut until 8 am this morning.

During the closure, patients needing care were directed to Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops.

While the ER was closed in Lillooet, all other inpatient services continued as normal.

As the Lillooet ER reopened this morning, the emergency department at Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital in Clearwater closed its doors.

The ER in Clearwater is expected to remain shut until 7 pm Sunday.

During the closure, patients are asked to go to Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops or 100 Mile House District General Hospital in 100 Mile House.

“People in the community who need life-threatening emergency care (ie, chest pains, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding) should always call 911 for transport to the nearest available and appropriate facility,” wrote Interior Health.

“Anyone unsure whether an emergency room visit is warranted can call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1, or visit www.HealthLinkBC.ca for non-emergency health information from nurses, dietitians and pharmacists 24 hours a day, seven days per week.”