'Unexpected limited physician availability' closes emergency room in B.C. Interior
South Okanagan General Hospital is seen in this image from the Interior Health website. (interiorhealth.ca)
A hospital in the B.C. Interior was forced to close its emergency department because of a lack of staff Saturday, according to the local health authority.
South Okanagan General Hospital in Oliver is normally open 24 hours a day, but Interior Health announced late Saturday afternoon that the facility's emergency department would close at 10 p.m. due to "unexpected limited physician availability."
The emergency room will reopen at 8 a.m. Sunday, the health authority said, adding that those seeking emergency care can access it at Penticton Regional Hospital overnight.
Interior Health said other inpatient services at South Okanagan General Hospital will continue as normal during the closure.
"People in the community who need life-threatening emergency care (i.e., chest pains, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding) should always call 911 for transport to the nearest available and appropriate facility," Interior Health said in a statement.
People who are unsure if an emergency room visit is needed can call HealthLink BC at 811 or visit healthlinkbc.ca, the health authority said.
Staffing-related ER closures in the B.C. Interior have been less frequent in 2023, so far, than they were last year, but recruitment and retention of personnel remains a major challenge for the health-care system across the province.
In February, a presentation to Interior Health showed 13.7 per cent of health-care positions unfilled, up from the 5.1 per cent vacancy rate seen before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Later that month, the provincial government announced plans to spend $1 billion over three years on recruiting and retaining new health-care workers as part of the latest B.C. budget.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau government proclaims annual day against gun violence
The federal government is proclaiming a National Day Against Gun Violence, to be held annually on the first Friday of June. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino and representatives of the Toronto Raptors basketball team are set to discuss the plans today at an event in Toronto.
'I heard a cracking noise': 16 children, 1 adult injured in platform collapse at Winnipeg's Fort Gibraltar
Seventeen people – most of whom are young students – were hospitalized after a falling from a height during a field trip at Winnipeg's Fort Gibraltar. However, many of the children are now being discharged and sent home, according to an update from the hospital.
Special rapporteur Johnston rejects call to 'step aside' after majority of MPs vote for him to resign
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's efforts to assure Canadians that his government is adequately addressing the threat of foreign interference took a hit on Wednesday, when the majority of MPs in the House of Commons voted for special rapporteur David Johnston to 'step aside,' a call Johnston quickly rejected.
Latest Russian missile bombardment of Kyiv kills at least 3, including a child
The latest pre-dawn Russian missile attack on Kyiv killed at least three people Thursday, including a 9-year-old child and her mother, Ukrainian officials said.
After sailing though House on bipartisan vote, Biden-McCarthy debt ceiling deal now goes to Senate
Veering away from a default crisis, the House overwhelmingly approved a debt ceiling and budget cuts package, sending the deal that U.S. President Joe Biden and Speaker Kevin McCarthy negotiated to the Senate for swift passage in a matter of days, before a fast-approaching deadline.
Jordan's royal wedding day gets underway with surprise arrival of Britain's William and Kate
Jordan's highly anticipated royal wedding day got underway on Thursday with the surprise announcement that Britain's Prince William and his wife Kate had arrived to witness the nuptials of Crown Prince Hussein and his Saudi Arabian bride.
Danny Masterson convicted of 2 counts of rape, 'That '70s Show' actor faces 30 years to life
'That '70s Show' star Danny Masterson was led out in handcuffs from a Los Angeles courtroom Wednesday and could get 30 years to life in prison after a jury found him guilty on two of three counts of rape at his second trial, in which the Church of Scientology played a central role.
5 things to know for Thursday, June 1, 2023
A new day for Canadians to mark on the calendar, MPs call on special rapporteur David Johnston to resign, and Canadian consumers are more indebted than ever.
United States blanks Canada 3-0 in world para hockey championship
The United States shut out Canada 3-0 in the world para hockey championship Wednesday to hand the host country its first loss of the tournament.
Vancouver Island
-
Wildfire near Sayward, B.C., continues to burn out of control with 60 firefighters, 4 helicopters on scene
The northern Vancouver Island village of Sayward remains on edge Wednesday as a wildfire continues to burn out of control just five kilometres west of the community.
-
Alberta woman gets Ferrari impounded after speeding on Malahat
The RCMP's B.C. Highway Patrol says an Alberta woman was ticketed and had her Ferrari impounded after speeding on the Malahat highway earlier this month.
-
Victoria mortgage broker facing multiple lawsuits has licence suspended
An embattled mortgage broker from Victoria has had his licence to practice in B.C. suspended by the BC Financial Services Authority (BCFSA).
Calgary
-
'An obscene amount': Anger grows over residential parking fees
Calgarians facing a massive increase in cost just to park in their own neighbourhoods are voicing their concerns.
-
Premier Danielle Smith tasked with choosing new cabinet after losing several senior MLAs
Danielle Smith is now facing her first big test as Alberta's returning premier — picking a new cabinet after losing several senior MLAs.
-
Calgary council considers bylaw changes to discourage catalytic converter theft
The City of Calgary is considering changes to its business licence bylaw in the effort to reduce catalytic converter theft.
Edmonton
-
Smith urged to work with elected Edmontonians after promising 'council' of defeated UCP candidates
Alberta's re-elected premier says she plans to form a "council" of UCP candidates who lost in Monday's election to advise her on Edmonton issues, something her opponent made fun of Wednesday.
-
'It was panic, chaos': Hundreds of northern Alberta residents flee growing wildfire
The wildfire, believed to have been caused by lightning, grew from 300 hectares on Sunday to 8,600 by Wednesday afternoon.
-
Landspout spotted near Stettler, Alberta
A landspout touched down near Stettler on Wednesday afternoon.
Toronto
-
Most of Ontario will see two straight days of extreme heat
Much of Ontario will be experiencing a multi-day heat event starting on Thursday.
-
Toronto multiplex policy aimed at boosting housing welcomed by observers
A new policy allowing single family homes to be converted into low-rise multiplexes in Toronto is being hailed by observers as a welcome move, although experts warn it won't make housing more affordable in Canada's most populous city right away.
-
Engaged couple shot dead days before moving out of house near Hamilton
An engaged couple was shot dead while fleeing their landlord near Hamilton just days before they were scheduled to move out of their apartment.
Montreal
-
'It doesn't feel human': Six Quebecers file legal challenge against Bill 96
One year less a day after Quebec's Bill 96 came into force, a new legal challenge was filed Wednesday at the Montreal courthouse on behalf of six people.
-
8 suspicious car fires in 2 locations overnight: Montreal police
Montreal police (SPVM) are investigating back-to-back sets of suspicious car fires early Thursday morning. The first incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. in the Lachine borough, where four vehicles burned in a commercial parking lot. Less than an hour later, officers responded to a similar event in the Saint-Laurent borough, where another four vehicles burned.
-
Altercation in Orange Julep parking lot leaves man, 50, in critical condition
A 50-year-old man is in critical condition early Thursday morning after he was beaten in Montreal's west end a few hours earlier.
Winnipeg
-
'I heard a cracking noise': 16 children, 1 adult injured in platform collapse at Winnipeg's Fort Gibraltar
Seventeen people – most of whom are young students – were hospitalized after a falling from a height during a field trip at Winnipeg's Fort Gibraltar. However, many of the children are now being discharged and sent home, according to an update from the hospital.
-
'Customers very satisfied': The use of cosmetic pesticides once again allowed on Manitoba lawns
Winnipeg lawn care companies have an old weapon back in their arsenal as they begin their annual war against weeds.
-
Trudeau government proclaims annual day against gun violence
The federal government is proclaiming a National Day Against Gun Violence, to be held annually on the first Friday of June. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino and representatives of the Toronto Raptors basketball team are set to discuss the plans today at an event in Toronto.
Saskatoon
-
“It happened so rapidly”, a victim of a daylight stabbing in Saskatoon speaks out
“It happened so rapidly”, one of the victims of daylight stabbing in Saskatoon speaks
-
Warman RCMP debunk abduction report, say no child luring occurred
According to RCMP, there was no attempt to lure a child in Warman Monday afternoon.
-
Saskatoon city councillor calls for safety audit at site where cyclist died
City councillor Cynthia Block is calling for a road safety audit at the site of a fatal crash on College Drive last week.
Regina
-
'A step backward': City opens survey for public feedback on future of Scarth Street pedestrian mall
The City of Regina has opened a survey for the public to provide their feedback on the future of the Scarth Street mall.
-
Woman hit from behind by truck in Regina, police asking for help in finding driver
The Regina Police Service (RPS) is asking for help in finding a driver who hit a woman with a truck from behind on Monday.
-
Plans underway for memorial statue to honour Regina Rifles
Plans are being made for a memorial in France to honour members of the Royal Regina Rifles.
Atlantic
-
Fire danger high in the Maritimes, record heat in Thursday's forecast
While firefighters were hoping for a break in the dry, windy weather, CTV meteorologist Kalin Mitchell says fire danger remains high over the next 24 hours.
-
Air quality statements in place for Nova Scotia as wildfires burn
Air quality statements have been issued by Environment Canada for Nova Scotia as wildfires continue burning in the province.
-
N.S. premier asks for urgent help from federal government as wildfires continue to burn out of control
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston is asking for urgent help as wildfires continue to burn out of control in his province.
London
-
Buckle Up: LTC chair tells council it’s going to have to dig deeper for better transit service
The chair of the London Transit Commission sent out a pointed message to London City Council Wednesday, saying that if council wants service improvements in transit, it’s going to have to dig deeper.
-
Fire ban implemented in Bruce County
Fire chiefs across Bruce County have collectively declared a fire ban on all open-air burning, with the exception of campfires for cooking and warmth.
-
Western University to install 74 new EV charging stations
It’ll soon be easier to charge your electric vehicle at Western University.
Northern Ontario
-
3 girls now charged in assault, kidnapping investigation in Huntsville
Huntsville OPP has charged a third girl in connection to an alleged assault captured on video at a local high school and shared on social media earlier this month.
-
Northern Ont. town on the brink of evacuation as out-of-control wildfire grows
Forest fires in northern Ontario are on the rise, with the largest in the region shutting down a critical highway for the people of Hornepayne for a bit and bringing the community to the brink of evacuation.
-
'Mortifying': Toronto woman says restaurant shamed her for ordering too much food
A Toronto woman says she was shamed for the size of her order at a sushi restaurant north of the city in a scathing review posted to social media that’s been viewed more than 1.4 million times.
Kitchener
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | Fire rips through four townhomes in Kitchener
Seven fire trucks, including an aerial truck, were on scene at a fire on Green Valley Drive in Kitchener on Wednesday afternoon after a fire impacted multiple townhomes.
-
PHOTO GALLERY
PHOTO GALLERY | Crash takes out part of pedestrian overpass in downtown Kitchener
Police closed a section of Charles Street in downtown Kitchener Wednesday where it appears a garbage truck took out part of an overhead pedestrian bridge.
-
'Thank God my kids were not outside': Driver charged after car crashes through 3 Kitchener, Ont. backyards
A 72-year-old from Kitchener has been charged with careless driving after a vehicle careened off Highland Road West and smashed through the backyards of three homes on Ralgreen Crescent on Tuesday afternoon.