Interior Health is advising residents of Kaslo and area that due to limited physician/staffing availability the Victorian Community Health Centre will experience more closures.
The Emergency Department will be closed several times over the next week. Outside these hours, the emergency department will be open.
* 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, July 27
* 5 p.m. Monday, July 29 to 8 a.m. Tuesday, July 30
* 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 30 to 8 a.m. Wednesday, July 31
* 5 p.m. Thursday, August 1 to 8 a.m. Friday, August 2
This announcement of closures comes as Nelson-Creston MLA Michelle Mungall spoke in the legislature this week about the problems recruiting physicians to the Kootenays.
Interior Health says they understand the problems closures cause and are working toward a solution.
“Interior Health continues to actively recruit for permanent and locum physicians and regrets this temporary change to normal services,” said Karl Hardt, communications officer.
They’re advising residents of the following options if they require care when the emergency department is closed: In the event of an emergency, call 9-1-1 or visit the emergency department at Kootenay Lake Hospital in Nelson. For non-urgent needs, visit a walk-in clinic in Nelson. They also suggest noting the weekend and holiday hours of the local pharmacy/drug store, and ensure prescriptions are up to date.
HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 is also a 24-hour service people can use if they are unsure about their need to go to the emergency department.