Reduced hours continue at 2 Island health-care centres
Limited staff availability has led to the further reduction of services at one Vancouver Island health-care facility and the extension of overnight closures at another.
Island Health announced Friday that overnight closures of the emergency department at the Cormorant Island Community Health Centre in Alert Bay would be extended until Oct. 17.
On Thursday, the health authority announced a schedule for closures and hours reductions in urgent care at the Chemainus Health Care Centre throughout the month of October.
Both facilities have been operating on reduced hours for months. Island Health first scaled back the Chemainus facility's hours in May, and overnight closures at Cormorant Island began in July.
Initially, the Alert Bay facility – which had previously been open for emergency services 24 hours a day – was scheduled to close from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m. daily for two weeks.
The closures were later extended through the end of August, then to mid-September, then through the end of September, and now through mid-October.
Anyone experiencing a medical emergency in Alert Bay while the emergency department is closed should call 911, Island Health said, adding that it has "protocols in place to ensure patients are transported to an appropriate alternate site."
"Island Health, like all health authorities in B.C. and across Canada, is extremely challenged by the health workforce shortage," the health authority said in a statement.
"At this time, Island Health does not have enough nursing staff in the region to maintain safe, consistent 24/7 ED services at the CICHC. This is being done to ensure the safety of patients. You must have a minimum level of staff in order for patients to be safe."
The health authority said it is working "diligently" on recruiting nurses, with the goal of resuming 24-hour service "as quickly as possible."
Meanwhile, in Chemainus, it is "limited physician availability" that is causing service reductions.
While laboratory and medical imaging services at the facility remain open for their usual hours, Island Health released a detailed schedule for when urgent care will be available at Chemainus Health Care Centre in October.
When urgent care is not available at the facility, patients are advised to go to Ladysmith Community Health Centre or Cowichan District Hospital, which are 15 and 20 kilometres away, respectively.
"Island Health is continuing work to secure additional physician coverage for October, which may result in adjustments to CHCC urgent care hours of operation," the health authority said. "Residents and visitors to the area can call ahead to the CHCC for up-to-date information at 250-737-2040 ext. 42227 or check for updates on the Island Health website."
The schedule for urgent care availability released Thursday is as follows:
- Oct. 1 – Closed
- Oct. 2 – Open 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
- Oct. 3 – Open 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
- Oct. 4 – Open 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
- Oct. 5 – Open 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
- Oct. 6 – Open 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
- Oct. 7 – Closed
- Oct. 8 – Open 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
- Oct. 9 – Open 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
- Oct. 10 – Open 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
- Oct. 11 – Open 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
- Oct. 12 – Closed
- Oct. 13 – Closed
- Oct. 14 – Open 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
- Oct. 15 – Closed
- Oct. 16 – Closed
- Oct. 17 – Open 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
- Oct. 18 – Closed
- Oct. 19 – Closed
- Oct. 20 – Open 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
- Oct. 21 – Open 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
- Oct. 22 – Open 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
- Oct. 23 – Open 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
- Oct. 24 – Closed
- Oct. 25 – Closed
- Oct. 26 – Open 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
- Oct. 27 – Open 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
- Oct. 28 – Open 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
- Oct. 29 – Open 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
- Oct. 30 – Open 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
- Oct. 31 – Closed
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.