Residents in Oliver and the surrounding South Okanagan will need to plan for a temporary overnight closure of the emergency department at South Okanagan General Hospital this weekend.
Emergency services will be unavailable from 7 p.m. Saturday to 7 a.m. Sunday, May 3. During that time, people who need urgent care are being directed to Penticton Regional Hospital, about 40 kilometres from Oliver.
While the emergency department is closed, all other inpatient services at South Okanagan General Hospital will continue as usual.
Health officials say anyone facing a life-threatening emergency, including chest pain, trouble breathing or severe bleeding, should call 911. Paramedics will transport patients to the nearest appropriate facility.
For less urgent concerns, residents can call HealthLink BC at 811 to speak with a nurse, dietitian or pharmacist, or visit healthlinkbc.ca for advice available around the clock.
The temporary disruption highlights ongoing pressures on rural health services, where short-term staffing gaps can affect access to care and force patients to travel farther for treatment.
