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Staffing shortages extend emergency services closure at Oliver hospital

Closure runs from Saturday evening, Aug. 20 into Sunday morning
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The emergency department in Oliver is normally open 24/7. (Submitted photo)

Emergency services at South Okanagan General Hospital in Oliver will be unavailable from Saturday, Aug. 20, 6 p.m. to Sunday, Aug. 21 at 8 a.m. due to limited doctor availability.

Interior Health says patients can instead access emergency services at Penticton Regional Hospital at 550 Carmi Avenue.

The newest temporary change was first announced on Thursday afternoon on Aug. 18, with the health authority saying limited physician availability has closed emergency services at the hospital until Friday morning at 8 a.m.

People in the community who need life-threatening emergency care should always call 911 for transport to the nearest available and appropriate facility, Interior Health added in an email.

The emergency department in Oliver is normally open 24/7.

A lack of doctors closed the town’s hospital emergency department for six hours on July 17.

READ MORE: Lack of doctors closes Oliver hospital emergency


@lgllockhart
logan.lockhart@pentictonwesternnews.com