BC Interior ER closed for most of Saturday

Residents in and around Williams Lake will be without an emergency department for much of the day today.

In a bulletin sent out Saturday morning, Interior Health announced that the ER at Cariboo Memorial Hospital was closed immediately and not expected to reopen until 8 pm tonight.

As emergency services are unavailable in Williams Lake, residents are being directed to 100 Mile District General Hospital in 100 Mile House, GR Baker Memorial Hospital in Quesnel, or Bella Coola General Hospital in Bella Coola.

All other inpatient services at Cariboo Memorial Hospital will continue as normal.

“People in the community who need life-threatening emergency care (ie, chest pains, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding) should always call 9-1-1 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.”