An emergency department at a health care centre in the Island Health region will continue to be closed during the overnight hours.
Island Health announced Wednesday that the ongoing 7 p.m. to 8 a.m. closure of Cormorant Island Community Health Centre’s emergency department will continue until at least Nov. 30 due to chronic staffing issues.
Anyone experiencing a medical emergency while the emergency department is closed is asked 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 and BC Emergency Health Services have protocols in place to ensure patients are transported to an appropriate alternate site,” the health authority said in a statement.
The emergency department has been experiencing ongoing nightly closures for months due to staffing shortages.
On Oct. 31, the health authority previously announced the Cormorant Island Community Health Centre would be closed overnight until Nov. 15, but that has now been extended to Nov. 30.
Island Health says it is working “diligently on recruitment and strategies” to secure additional nursing coverage.
“Island Health acknowledges this is not an ideal situation for the community and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience experienced by this temporary service interruption,” the health authority said.
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