The Clearwater-area will be without emergency room access for 13 hours this Sunday because of a lack of nurses.

Interior Health says the emergency department at the  Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital – which is usually open around the clock – will be closed between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m., July 14.

It’s the sixth closure of the ER this year, and second this week, with people in need of emergency care once again being told to head to Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops or 100 Mile House District General Hospital.

As has been the case during past emergency room closures, Interior Health says people in Clearwater who need life-saving emergency care should call 9-1-1.

People who aren’t sure if they need to head to the emergency room are being told to contact HealthLink BC.