Due to limited staffing availability and to ensure Saanich Peninsula residents have access to the health-care services they need during daytime and early evening hours when the Saanich Peninsula Hospital (SPH) emergency department is busiest, Island Health is implementing a temporary overnight closure of the emergency department.
The SPH emergency department will be temporarily closed overnight from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. starting July 7 to September 4. The emergency department will be open each day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
This reduction in overnight service hours will ensure physician, nursing, laboratory technicians and medical imaging staff are available during the hours of highest patient demand.
“We acknowledge this is not an ideal situation for the community and we sincerely apologize for this temporary service reduction,” said Marko Peljhan, Island Health vice president of Clinical Services Central/South Island and Provincial Programs. “We are thankful and appreciative to the emergency department physicians, and all care providers, on the Saanich Peninsula and across the Island Health region for their tireless commitment to providing the best care possible to patients.”
On average, between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., approximately 11 people attend the SPH emergency department. An additional two people arrive via ambulance. During the overnight closures ambulances will be diverted to Royal Jubilee Hospital or Victoria General Hospital.
Anyone experiencing a medical emergency should call 911 or, if possible, proceed to Royal Jubilee Hospital or Victoria General Hospital. Island Health and BC Emergency Health Services have protocols in place to ensure patients are transported to the appropriate site.
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.
During this time, all other inpatient services will continue as normal at SPH. Island Health continues to work with all partners to recruit and support physicians and health care workers across our region.