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Limited services at Port McNeill hospital Friday night/Saturday morning

Island Health said nursing shortage to blame
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There were limited health services available on the night shift Friday at Port McNeill Hospital due to a nursing shortage, according to Island Health.

The health authority issued a “temporary ER diversion” on Friday afternoon, saying services at the hospital would have “limited availability” from 11 p.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Saturday.

“Island Health acknowledges this temporary service reduction is not an ideal situation for the community and assures residents nursing recruitment is actively underway for the Mount Waddington area,” said Friday’s release from Island Health.

A B.C. Nurses Union spokesperson told The Gazette this is “something that happens frequently, unfortunately.”

“It is something that we see a lot in that region,” said the BCNU’s Katharine Kitts. “It’s not an unusual circumstance. Recruitment in rural and remote areas is challenging.”