Mission Memorial Hospital ER significantly scaling back hours for 17 days

Mission Memorial Hospital is seen in this file photo. (CTV News)

The emergency department at Mission Memorial Hospital will be limiting its hours for more than two weeks, citing staffing shortages exacerbated by spring break scheduling issues.

From March 14 to March 31, the emergency room will close at 5 p.m. and open at 8 a.m., a bulletin sent out Thursday said.

“This change will help ensure the community knows when and where emergency services are available as we continue our work to stabilize emergency physician coverage,” said Dr. Paul Theron, the medical director of the hospital.

“Having consistent and plannable hours allows us to provide reliable and safe, quality care to our patients while better supporting our hardworking emergency team.”

Efforts to hire doctors to provide more consistent emergency department coverage at the hospital are ongoing, according to the statement.

Emergency nurses will be on site after 5 p.m. to assess and redirect patients. Those who need urgent medical attention while the department is closed are advised to call 911.

The emergency department has been closed a number of times in recent months but for much shorter stretches.

Mission’s mayor was also quoted in the statement, touting the “remarkable” efforts of the health authority and the province to address the staff shortages. He also praised the dedication of front-line health-care workers

“We have witnessed the extraordinary efforts being taken to cover shifts,” Paul Horn wrote.

“Like everybody in our community, we hope to see our emergency room working at full capacity, but we recognize it will take some time for the investments in our hospital and recruiting to result in permanent staffing improvements.”