Island Health is warning patients on the west coast of Vancouver Island that a medical lab in Ucluelet has been temporarily closed.
The Ucluelet outpatient medical lab, located at 1566 Peninsula Rd., will temporarily shut down effective today, Aug. 9, Island Health said.
The closure is necessary “in order to ensure reliable, consistent inpatient and outpatient laboratory services at Tofino General Hospital,” Island Health said in a statement.
Patients requiring lab services during the closure can attend Tofino General Hospital’s outpatient lab, which will increase lab hours.
The Tofino hospital lab’s hours will now be Monday and Friday from 9-11 a.m. and 12:30-2:30 p.m., as well as Tuesday to Thursday 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.
The temporary Ucluelet lab closure is due to a shortage of medical lab support staff, Island Health says. Similar temporary closures have been seen at other labs around Vancouver Island such as Sidney and Port McNeil.
“This temporary closure will enable Island Health to consolidate staffing to support necessary services at TGH,” Island Health said. “Recruitment efforts are ongoing and it is expected that the Ucluelet outpatient lab will re-open when staffing levels allow.”
For the most up-to-date information on hours and closures, visit Island Health’s website or call 1-877-370-8355.
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