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
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Air France flight from Paris to Seattle lands in Iqaluit after heat smell in cabin
A plane travelling from Paris to Seattle was forced to make an emergency landing in Iqaluit after there was a heat smell in the cabin during the flight.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
Alcohol believed to be a factor in boating incident after 2 men die: N.S. RCMP
Two Nova Scotia men are dead after a boat they were travelling in sank in the Annapolis River in Granville Centre, N.S., on Monday.
Security guard shot, critically injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.