The emergency room at the Nicola Valley Hospital  in Merritt will be closed for 25 hours this weekend because of a lack of doctors.

Interior Health says the closure – the third this month and eleventh this year – will take effect at 7 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 24 and remain in place until 8 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 25.

As has been the case during past closures, people in the Merritt-area need of emergency care during those times are being told to head to Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops.

“People in the community who need life-threatening emergency care (i.e., chest pains, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding) should always call 9-1-1 for transport to the nearest available and appropriate facility,” the IH statement added.

“Anyone unsure whether an emergency room visit is warranted can call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 or visit www.HealthLinkBC.ca.”