Vancouver Island hospital suddenly shuts down ER due to staff shortage
The Town of Port McNeill, B.C. is seen in this photo from the town's website.
The emergency department at Port McNeill Hospital unexpectedly shut down on Friday evening due to a staffing shortage.
Around 5:30 p.m., Island Health said that the ER at the hospital would be closed from 7 p.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Saturday because of an "unanticipated" shortage of nurses.
During this time, the hospital will also not be accepting new patients.
Island Health says anyone in the community that has a medical emergency should call 911 or head to Port Hardy Hospital if possible.
If you're unsure if you're having a medical event that requires an emergency visit to the hospital, Island Health says you can contact HealthLinkBC for free at 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day.
Island Health says it wasn't aware of the nursing shortage at the North Island hospital until Friday afternoon.
"Despite immediate effort from local leadership to find alternate nursing coverage, nursing coverage has not been secured," said the health authority in a statement Friday.
"Island Health acknowledges this is not an ideal situation for the community and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience experienced by this temporary service reduction."
This is the third time that Port McNeill Hospital has faced emergency department closures in as many months.
Earlier in May and in March, the hospital warned of weekend ER closures due to staff shortages.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Bird flu, measles top 2025 concerns for Canada's chief public health officer
As we enter 2025, Dr. Theresa Tam has her eye on H5N1 bird flu, an emerging virus that had its first human case in Canada this year.
DEVELOPING
DEVELOPING Body found in wheel well of plane at Maui airport
A person was found dead in the wheel well of a United Airlines flight to Maui on Tuesday.
Raised in Sask. after his family fled Hungary, this man spent decades spying on communists for the RCMP
As a Communist Party member in Calgary in the early 1940s, Frank Hadesbeck performed clerical work at the party office, printed leaflets and sold books.
Police identify victim of Christmas Day homicide in Hintonburg, charge suspect
The Ottawa Police Service says the victim who has been killed on Christmas Day in Hintonburg has been identified.
Christmas shooting at Phoenix airport leaves 3 people wounded
Police are investigating a Christmas shooting at Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix that left three people injured by gunfire.
Ship remains stalled on St-Lawrence River north of Montreal
A ship that lost power on the St. Lawrence River on Christmas Eve, remains stationary north of Montreal.
Your kid is spending too much time on their phone. Here's what to do about it
Wondering what your teen is up to when you're not around? They are likely on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram or Snapchat, according to a new report.
Bird flu kills more than half the big cats at a Washington sanctuary
Bird flu has been on the rise in Washington state and one sanctuary was hit hard: 20 big cats – more than half of the facility’s population – died over the course of weeks.
6,000 inmates stage Christmas Day escape from high-security Mozambique prison
At least 6,000 inmates escaped from a high-security prison in Mozambique's capital on Christmas Day after a rebellion, the country's police chief said, as widespread post-election riots and violence continue to engulf the country.
Vancouver
-
Multiple sailing waits for BC Ferries after further cancellations
BC Ferries cancelled multiple early morning sailings between the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island Thursday morning, as weather warnings due to wind and heavy rain remain in effect.
-
Weather warnings in effect for parts of B.C. on Boxing Day
Wet and windy weather is expected to persist for B.C.'s South Coast Thursday, according to Environment Canada – which says conditions are expected to improve before Boxing Day ends.
-
Cats rescued from abandoned vehicles in Metro Vancouver
Multiple cats have been found in abandoned vehicles that have been towed in Metro Vancouver over the past month, according to the B.C. SPCA.
Kelowna
-
Forfeited Hells Angels clubhouse in Kelowna, B.C., sold to the city
A former Hells Angels clubhouse that was seized by the British Columbia government in 2023 after years of fighting in court has been sold to the City of Kelowna.
-
Death of woman found in Kelowna's Waterfront Park in June deemed 'non-criminal in nature': RCMP
Police in Kelowna say a death they began investigating back in June has now been confirmed as "non-criminal in nature."
-
B.C. man sentenced for 'execution-style' murder of bystander in drug trade conflict
A B.C. man convicted of the "intentional and ruthless killing of a bystander" while acting as an enforcer in the drug trade has been sentenced for a second time in the slaying.
Edmonton
-
Alberta premier hopes for health reform payoff in 2025, regrets deferring tax cut
"It may have been better for Albertans if we'd implemented and then found a way to be able to pay for it."
-
Naheed Nenshi finding his feet leading an Alberta NDP still under construction
Nenshi finding his feet leading an Alberta NDP still under construction
-
Donald Trump says he urged Wayne Gretzky to run for prime minister in Christmas visit
U.S. president-elect Donald Trump says he told Canadian hockey legend Wayne Gretzky he should run for prime minister during a Christmas visit but adds that the athlete declined interest in politics.
Calgary
-
Naheed Nenshi finding his feet leading an Alberta NDP still under construction
Nenshi finding his feet leading an Alberta NDP still under construction
-
Vehicle collision shutters Macleod Trail and Southland Drive
Calgary police, fire and EMS were called to Southland Drive and Macleod Trail in the city's south on Thursday for a vehicle collision.
-
Bird flu, measles top 2025 concerns for Canada's chief public health officer
As we enter 2025, Dr. Theresa Tam has her eye on H5N1 bird flu, an emerging virus that had its first human case in Canada this year.
Lethbridge
-
Lake Louise ice climber takes a scary fall, then carries on climbing ice
The sport of ice climbing is becoming more and more popular, but one man is lucky to be alive after a serious fall in Alberta’s back country.
-
Safety tips for holiday home cooks: Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services
If you’re planning to cook over the holidays, Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services is reminding everyone to do it safely.
-
Here’s which bins your Christmas wrapping, ribbons and leftovers should go into
With piles of presents unwrapped Wednesday, Environment Lethbridge is reminding everyone to dispose of all that waste properly.
Winnipeg
-
'They gambled with trees': Cutting down trees resumes in Lemay Forest
The next chapter of the Lemay Forest saga has unfolded as the sounds of trees coming down could be heard Monday.
-
One person dead, another injured following Monday night house fire
One person has died and another is in unstable condition following a house fire Monday evening.
-
Winnipeg police investigating string of packages being stolen
The Winnipeg Police Service is investigating a string of package thefts in the Transcona area.
Regina
-
Pedestrian collision sends man to hospital with life-threatening injuries
One man has been sent to hospital with life-threatening injuries after he was struck by a vehicle in the early hours of Wednesday in Regina.
-
Raised in Sask. after his family fled Hungary, this man spent decades spying on communists for the RCMP
As a Communist Party member in Calgary in the early 1940s, Frank Hadesbeck performed clerical work at the party office, printed leaflets and sold books.
-
Here's what's open and what's closed in Regina this holiday season
Here's what residents can expect in terms of city services as Regina slides right into the Christmas holidays.
Saskatoon
-
Raised in Sask. after his family fled Hungary, this man spent decades spying on communists for the RCMP
As a Communist Party member in Calgary in the early 1940s, Frank Hadesbeck performed clerical work at the party office, printed leaflets and sold books.
-
IN PICTURES: CTV Saskatoon viewers send us their holiday photos
A living gallery of viewer-submitted photos from the holiday season. Share your pictures with us at SaskatoonNews@bellmedia.ca
-
Sask. highway closed following serious collision
The Saskatchewan RCMP are investigating a serious collision on Highway 7, approximately 15 kilometres west of Rosetown.
Toronto
-
Boxing Day bargain hunters hit GTA stores in search of deals
Deal hunters are hitting stores around the GTA today to try take advantage of Boxing Day bargains and a tax holiday that offers further discounts.
-
Man wanted for 2 unprovoked incidents in downtown Toronto on Christmas Eve
Toronto police are searching for a suspect who allegedly choked a female in downtown Toronto then threatened an employee at a business with a hammer.
-
1 person seriously injured in Scarborough stabbing
One person was taken to the hospital with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries following a stabbing on Dec. 25 in Scarborough, say paramedics.
Montreal
-
WEATHERWEATHER Smog warning in effect in Montreal, Laval
Residents of Montreal, Laval and other regions are advised that a smog warning is in effect.
-
Teen cancer patient pays forward Make-A-Wish donation to local fire department
A 16-year-old cancer patient from Hemmingford, Que. decided to donate his Make-A-Wish Foundation gift to the local fire department rather than use it himself.
-
Ship remains stalled on St-Lawrence River north of Montreal
A ship that lost power on the St. Lawrence River on Christmas Eve, remains stationary north of Montreal.
Ottawa
-
Police identify victim of Christmas Day homicide in Hintonburg, charge suspect
The Ottawa Police Service says the victim who has been killed on Christmas Day in Hintonburg has been identified.
-
World Junior Championship to create a buzz in Ottawa this Boxing Day
A Canadian hockey holiday tradition returns to the capital this Boxing Day, as the 2025 World Junior Championship is set to create a buzz in the city.
-
Ottawa G1 driver caught driving uninsured, unaccompanied with out-of-service plate on HWY 417
A G1 driver is facing multiple charges after being stopped on Highway 417 in Ottawa for out-of-service licence plate Wednesday, according to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).
Atlantic
-
Police in New Brunswick investigating Christmas Eve sudden death
Police in Saint John, N.B., are investigating the sudden death of a 30-year-old woman.
-
Temporary overnight parking ban for Saint John, N.B.
Saint John, N.B., has declared an overnight parking ban for the South/Central Peninsula beginning 11 p.m. Thursday evening through 7 a.m. Friday morning.
-
Nova Scotia premier tones down rhetoric toward Ottawa in end of year interview
On the heels of a resounding election victory one month ago, Nova Scotia's premier is adopting a more measured tone when it comes to assessing his province's relationship with the federal government.
London
-
Palace Theatre boarded up over the holidays due to recent damage
A break in, theft, and continued property damage has led to the boarding up of the Palace Theatre over the Christmas holidays.
-
Knights stars ready to help Canada chase gold at World Juniors
Three London Knights are on the roster, including Easton Cowan, who scored a hat-trick in Canada’s first exhibition game.
-
London fire responds to Wellington Road collision, contains fuel leak
London Fire Department was on the scene of a two vehicle collision involving a delivery truck on Tuesday morning.
Kitchener
-
Marking the start of Hanukkah in Guelph and Waterloo Region
People across Guelph and Waterloo Region are celebrating the start of Hanukkah.
-
Baden-born player, Guelph Storm forward and former Kitchener Ranger prepare to hit the ice at World Juniors
Waterloo Region and Guelph will be well represented as the International Ice Hockey Federation World Juniors gets underway.
-
Boxing Day bargain hunters hit GTA stores in search of deals
Deal hunters are hitting stores around the GTA today to try take advantage of Boxing Day bargains and a tax holiday that offers further discounts.
Northern Ontario
-
Bird flu, measles top 2025 concerns for Canada's chief public health officer
As we enter 2025, Dr. Theresa Tam has her eye on H5N1 bird flu, an emerging virus that had its first human case in Canada this year.
-
Indigenous family faced discrimination in North Bay, Ont., when they were kicked off transit bus
Ontario's Human Rights Tribunal has awarded members of an Indigenous family in North Bay $15,000 each after it ruled they were victims of discrimination.
-
Swimmer Summer McIntosh voted The Canadian Press female athlete of the year for 2024
During the month before her 18th birthday, Summer McIntosh became the first Canadian to win three gold medals in a single Olympic Games, winter or summer, with a silver medal thrown in for good measure.
N.L.
-
Her son needed help with addiction. Instead, he's spending Christmas in N.L. jail.
As Gwen Perry prepares for a Christmas without contact from her son, who is locked inside a notorious St. John's, N.L., jail, she wants people to understand that many inmates need help, not incarceration.
-
A massive, menacing Steller's sea eagle is dazzling birders in a Newfoundland park
A national park in Newfoundland has made the unusual move of opening in the winter so people can catch a glimpse of its rare and menacing new guest.
-
Newfoundland woman washed sick patients' hair every Saturday for more than 20 years
A retired nurse and teacher in Newfoundland was honoured this week for her volunteer work, which included more than two decades washing the hair of bedridden hospital patients.
