The City of Merritt is now without emergency medical care for a full day.

Citing a lack of doctors, Interior Health has shut down the Nicola Valley Hospital’s Emergency room from 8 a.m. today, Sept. 28, until 8 a.m. tomorrow, Sept. 29.

This is the fourth time this month – and the 13th time this year – that the Merritt ER has been shut down due to staffing issues.

The ER did close for about two hours last night – from about 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. – due to a shortage of nurses as well.

However, Interior Health – at the last minute – was able to secure additional nursing to keep the ER open until this morning.

Quite the night at the ER in #Merritt.

At 6:24, @Interior_Health announced a 24hr closure from 8am Thu to 8am Fri due to a lack of doctors.

At 8:33, the ER was closed due to a lack of doctors & nurses.

The ER reopened at 10:30 but will close again as noted.#Kamloops #bcpoli pic.twitter.com/yl9gQ8l1yv

— Victor Mario Kaisar (@supermario_47) September 28, 2023

As has been the case during past closures, people in Merritt who need emergency medical care will be sent to Royal Inland Hospital Kamloops.