Island Health is warning residents of another closure at the Port Hardy Hospital emergency department (ED) this week.
The ED will be closed on Thursday, Dec. 28, and will reopen on Friday, Dec. 29.
Island Health says the closure is due to a staff shortage at the hospital.
This week’s closure comes just days after the Port Hardy emergency room was closed for another staff shortage. It was closed on Christmas Eve before reopening on Christmas Day.
“Anyone experiencing a medical emergency while the ED is closed should call 911 or, if possible, proceed to Port McNeill Hospital ED,” said Island Health in a release Wednesday.
“Do not go to the PHH 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 people calling 911 are transported to the appropriate site,” said the health authority.
During the emergency department’s closure, all other inpatient services will continue to run as normal, according to Island Health.
History of closures
Earlier this year, the province announced a $30 million boost to try to stabilize the health-care system in the North Island.
This included changing the PHH emergency room hours to just 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, instead of 24-hours a day, in an attempt to reduce unexpected closures.
In March, hundreds of North Island residents also gathered together to rally for better healthcare in the region.
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Adam Chan
