Due to an unanticipated temporary nursing shortage, Island Health is advising community residents and visitors to the area that the Port McNeill Hospital (PMH) emergency department will be closed from 7 p.m. May 27 until 7 a.m. May 28.
During this timeframe, no new patients will be admitted to PMH.
Anyone experiencing a medical emergency should call 911 or, if possible, proceed to Port Hardy 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.
Island Health was notified on the afternoon of May 27 that nursing staff scheduled to provide coverage for PMH during this 12-hour time frame would unexpectedly not be available.
Despite immediate effort from local leadership to find alternate nursing coverage, nursing coverage has not been secured.
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.