Chemainus, Cormorant Island health centres experience operating hour reductions

Island Health

Due to staff shortages, Chemainus Health Care Centre and Cormorant Island Community Health Centre will have changes to operating hours.

The Cormorant Island Community Health Centre emergency department will be closed 7 p.m. to 8 a.m. between August 2 and August 16, according to Island Health.

Additionally, the Chemainus Health Care Centre will have changes to operating hours through the month of August.

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In both cases, staff shortages are cited as the reason for the changes in service hours.

In Chemainus, people seeking medical care are advised to use the Ladysmith Community Health Centre (15 km away) or Cowichan District Hospital (20 km away), where Island Health says additional resources will be allocated to support staff and patients.

On Cormorant Island, anyone with a medical emergency while the emergency department is closed is advised to call 911.

"Do not go to the CICHC ED during the hours it is closed, as this will delay your access to care," Island Health says in a statement. "Island Health and BC Emergency Health Services have protocols in place to ensure patients are transported to an appropriate alternate site."

Island Health says it does not have enough staff to run 24/7 emergency services at the Cormorant Island Community Health Centre emergency department.

"This is being done to ensure the safety of patients. You have to have a minimum level of staff in order for patients to be safe," the statement says. "This planned closure also enables Island Health to ensure consistent, reliable and safe care so the CICHC ED can remain fully operational from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m."

In both Chemainus and Cormorant Island, Island Health says it is working to secure adequate staffing levels and if additional staff are hired the operating hours may change.

"Island Health acknowledges this is not an ideal situation for the community and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience experienced by this temporary service reduction," the statement says.

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