Island Health is advising residents of Port McNeill that due to an unexpected temporary physician shortage, the emergency department of Port McNeill Hospital (PMH) will be closed, starting Friday.
The closure will start at 7 a.m. March 4 until 12 p.m. on Monday, March 7.
The health authority says during that period, no new patients will be admitted to PMH.
In a release late Thursday night, Island Health says it was notified that the physician scheduled to provide coverage for PMH this upcoming weekend would, unexpectedly, not be available.
Island Health says anyone experiencing a medical emergency should call 911 or, if possible, proceed to Port Hardy Hospital.
Island Health and BC Emergency Health Services have protocols in place to ensure patients are transported to the appropriate site.
Health officials say the health region will continue to seek physician coverage and will notify the community of any changes to the situation.
The health authority says despite immediate and significant efforts to find alternate physician coverage, that has not been secured.
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