Emergency Room Closures Disrupt Holiday Care
Residents of 100 Mile House have been facing unusual disruption this holiday season as the emergency department at the local hospital closed multiple times over Christmas. These closures left people worried about where they could get urgent medical help during a time when traffic and travel can already be challenging.
What Happened Over the Holidays
Over the Christmas period, the emergency department at the 100 Mile House District General Hospital was closed more than once, leaving the community without direct emergency services. At times, people needing urgent care had to seek help at the larger Cariboo Memorial Hospital in Williams Lake, which is a considerable distance from 100 Mile House.
The closures, especially when they happen repeatedly over a short period, have sparked concern among residents because emergencies can happen at any time. Many feel the timing makes an already difficult situation worse.
Officials and Health Authority Respond
Local politicians and Interior Health, the authority responsible for the hospital, agree that the closures are troubling and that more needs to be done to keep emergency care available when people need it. They have said that staffing and coverage issues are part of the reason for the temporary shutdowns and that planning ahead could help reduce future disruptions.
Interior Health has advised anyone experiencing a life-threatening emergency like chest pain or trouble breathing — to call 911, so they can be transported to the nearest available emergency department. If people are unsure whether their condition is an emergency, they can call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 for guidance.
Community Concern Grows
For residents of a rural area like 100 Mile House, the emergency department is a critical resource. With long distances to larger hospitals, a sudden closure can mean delays in care for people in serious need. This has led some community members to question how often these closures might occur and what plans are in place to prevent them in the future, especially during busy holiday periods.
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