Update issued August 3, 3:56 p.m.
Merritt and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at the Nicola Valley Hospital and Health Centre due to limited physician availability.
Emergency services will be unavailable from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, August 4, 2024. Patients can access care at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops during this time.
All other inpatient services will continue as normal at Nicola Valley Hospital.
People in the community who need life-threatening emergency care (i.e., chest pains, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding) should always call 9-1-1 for transport to the nearest available and appropriate facility.
Anyone unsure whether an emergency room visit is warranted can call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 or visit www.HealthLinkBC.ca for non-emergency health information from nurses, dietitians and pharmacists 24 hours a day, seven days per week.
The emergency department in Merritt is normally open 24/7.
