Photo showing the Merritt ER closed in October, 2023/via Mike Goetz
In a somewhat rare “daytime” closure, the Nicola Valley Hospital in Merritt will be reopening its Emergency Room to pateints at 7pm Saturday evening, after being shuttered at 6 this morning.
“Merritt and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at Nicola Valley Hospital,” noted Interior Health as part of its release.
As per a yet-explained reasons, which seem to date back to the end of October, Interior Health has not provided the rationale for the 13 hour shutdown.
While there have been nursing shortages in Merritt in the past, the main issue dogging the hospital and locals in recent months has been the availability of a doctor.
“Emergency services will be unavailable from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025,” said Interior Health in its notificiation, then added the standard line:
“Patients can access care at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops during this time.”
Last year saw the ER in Merritt shut down 21 times.
This is the first time in 2025 the Nicola Valley Hospital’s ER has been shut down due to — what is assumed — is a lack of staff available to hit the mandatory minimums required to run an emergency room.
Those who managed to get admitted before the shutdown are being spared the hour or more drive to be treated.
BC Ambulance Service unit making a non-emergnecy call/via the Canadian Press
“All other inpatient services will continue as normal at Nicola Valley Hospital,” noted I-H in its rollout of information.
“People in the community who need life-threatening emergency care (i.e., chest pains, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding) should always call 911 for transport to the nearest available and appropriate facility,” noted Interior Health.
Unless you’re unconscious or in an emergent medical situation which would make Kelowna General a closer trip, medical personell have told Radio NL that Royal Inland Hospital is the primary intake during a diversion in Merritt.
The same sources do note that in dire emergencies, an air-ambulance is on standby in the region, should the need arise.
“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,” concluded Interior Health in its standard response to an ER shutdown within its authority.
