Interior Health says physician services are still available at the Barriere and District Health Centre, even though the facility has been temporarily closed because of Omicron-related COVID-19 staffing challenges.

In a statement on Thursday, the health authority said COVID-19 testing and immunization clinics in Barriere are also continuing.

However, it notes that all outpatient nursing services will be closed as of today, Jan. 20, while laboratory services will be reduced to one day a week as of Monday, Jan. 24.

“These temporary measures are in place to redeploy staff in support of essential health services,” Interior Health said.

On Wednesday, Mayor Ward Stamer said he was concerned about the changes, noting neither he nor staff at the Barriere Health Centre were given any notice about the upcoming closure.

“I did not have any opportunity to discuss with Interior Health, any of the options that could have been available, whether it’s reduced hours or to have resources from other areas brought in even on a temporary basis,” Stamer said. “To me, to shut down the Health Centre for any length of time is unacceptable.”

“For [Interior Health] to turn around and do this without contacting us and at least giving us a proper explanation is disrespectful. That’s the best word I can use right now. It’s disrespectful and to say I’m angry would be an understatement.”

Interior Health says it will resume normal operations as soon as possible.

In the meantime, people who need emergency care are being told to call 911 or head to the Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital and Health Centre in Clearwater, 60 km away, or to Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops, 64 km away.

Reduced Services in Ashcroft and Clearwater

Meanwhile, in Ashcroft, the emergency department hours will be adjusted starting this Friday, Jan. 21.

Interior Health says until further notice, the Ashcroft ER will be open from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. That it instead of being open from 6 p.m. on Friday through to 8 a.m. on Monday.

Ashcroft residents who need emergency care outside of those hours are being told to call 911 or head to Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops, which is 97 km away.

As for Clearwater and Lillooet, Interior Health said Tuesday that all six in-patient beds at both facilities will be temporarily closed until further notice. The closures are meant to “stabilize the emergency departments” in those communities.

The health authority says these temporary service adjustments are also a result of Omicron-related COVID-19 staffing challenges.

NL News has reached out to Interior Health for more clarity on the changes and will update this story when more information is available.