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Overnight service interruption extended at Cormorant Island Community Health Centre

Island Health acknowledged this is not an ideal situation for the community
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Due to limited staffing availability, Island Health is advising community residents and visitors to the area that the temporary overnight closure of the Cormorant Island Community Health Centre (CICHC) emergency department (ED) will be extended to Aug. 31.

The temporary closure is in effect from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m.

“Anyone experiencing a medical emergency while the ED is closed should call 911. Do not go to the CICHC ED during the hours it is closed, as this will delay your access to care. Island Health and BC Emergency Health Services have protocols in place to ensure patients are transported to an appropriate alternate site.”

Island Health noted that like all health authorities in B.C. and across Canada, it is “extremely challenged by the health workforce shortage. 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. The overnight closure is being done to ensure the safety of patients. You have to have a minimum level of staff in order for patients to be safe. This planned closure also enables Island Health to ensure consistent, reliable and safe care so the CICHC ED can remain fully operational from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.”

Island Health stated it will continue to work diligently on recruitment and strategies to secure additional nursing coverage, with the goal of resuming 24/7 ED services at the CICHC as quickly as possible.

If you are unsure if you are experiencing a medical situation requiring a visit to an emergency department, confidential health information and advice from a registered nurse is available toll free, 24/7 by calling HealthLink BC at 811.

Island Health acknowledged this is “not an ideal situation for the community and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience experienced by this temporary service reduction.”


@NIGazette
editor@northislandgazette.com

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Tyson Whitney

About the Author: Tyson Whitney

I have been working in the community newspaper business for nearly a decade, all of those years with Black Press Media.
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