There will be another overnight closure at the emergency department at the Nicola Valley Hospital in Merritt tonight, Sept. 25.

Interior Health says this latest closure – the third this month and twelfth this year – is due to limited staffing availability, though it is not clear if its a doctor or a nursing shortage.

“From 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 25 to 7 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26 emergency department services will be unavailable and patients can access care at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops,” Interior Health said, in a statement.

“During this time, all other inpatient services will continue as normal at Nicola Valley Hospital.”

Earlier this month, Merritt Mayor Mike Goetz told Radio NL the closures were “unacceptable” and that he intended to bring the issue up with Health Minister Adrian Dix at last week’s Union of BC Municipalities convention in Vancouver.

The emergency department in Merritt is normally open 24/7.