The emergency department hours at the Slocan Health Centre in New Denver will be reduced next month.
Interior Health’s Karen Bloemink says they can’t sustain 24/7 service at the centre with a single doctor and nurse practitioner.
The change takes effect Feb. 1.
Those needing care outside of weekday hours will have to visit the emergency department at Nakusp’s Arrow Lakes Hospital.
IH says the change is due to the continued challenge to recruit new physicians to New Denver.
Bloemink says they began their recruitment efforts eight months ago.
Bloemink says IH will continue recruitment efforts.
New Denver mayor Ann Bunka is disappointed with the move.
She says they were hoping they wouldn’t lose round-the-clock coverage before April.
Bunka says their request for more time was denied.
She’s still hopeful that once they do find new physicians they might be able to restore 24-7 service.
Since September New Denver has been down to a single doctor, who indicated he was willing to maintain round-the-clock ER coverage until April.