Barriere Health Centre and inpatient services in Clearwater and Lillooet closed: Interior Health

KAMLOOPS — Services in some Interior Health communities were temporarily closed, reduced, or rescheduled on Tuesday (Jan. 18).

The Barriere and District Health Centre was closed to redeploy staff to nearby emergency departments. Interior Health says anyone needing emergency service should call 9-1-1 or visit Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital and Health Centre in Clearwater or Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops.

Interior Health closed inpatient services in Clearwater, Invermere, and Lillooet in a move that the health authority says is to stabilize those communities’ emergency departments in preparation of short-notice staff absentees at Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital and Health Centre, Invermere and District Hospital, and Lillooet Hospital and Health Centre. This means the six inpatient beds in Clearwater and six inpatient beds in Lillooet have been temporarily closed.

Overnight emergency department hours have been reduced at Ashcroft Community Health Centre and Slocan Community Health Centre in New Denver. Emergency department hours are now Fridays from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Previously, Interior Health says the hours were from Friday at 6 p.m. to Monday at 8 a.m.

Anyone requiring emergency services outside those hours are told to call 9-1-1 or visit Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops. Interior Health says it’s to stabilize daytime services in those communities.

“As we manage the Omicron-driven COVID-19 staffing impacts on the health system, Interior Health is proactively identifying services to adjust and relocate in order to maintain safe patient care,” Interior Health President and CEO Susan Brown states. “We will resume normal operations in impacted communities as soon as possible and in the meantime, we are temporarily reassigning and redeploying staff to sustain essential services throughout the region.”

Additionally, Interior Health temporarily rescheduled all non-urgent surgeries.

Interior Health says service changes will vary by community and primarily impact scheduled patients and clients who will be contacted directly.

“Current COVID-19 pressures have led to a staffing crisis that requires temporary emergency measures to maintain access to essential services that are relied on regionally. We regret the impacts these service adjustments may cause and will be contacting patients, clients and residents directly to address care needs wherever possible,” Brown adds.

Interior Health says it’s reaching out to local leaders and partners to answer questions. It says communications and updates will be provided online.