In an unexpected development that has left local residents concerned, the emergency department at South Similkameen Health Centre in Keremeos will be temporarily unavailable on Monday, forcing patients to seek urgent care elsewhere in the region.
Interior Health announced the service interruption at the rural facility, citing staffing challenges as the primary reason for the closure. The emergency department will be closed from 8 a.m. on Monday, June 17, until 8 a.m. on Tuesday, June 18—a full 24-hour period during which no emergency services will be available in the community.
“These temporary service adjustments are necessary due to limited physician availability,” said Interior Health spokesperson Marcus Wilson in a statement obtained by CO24. “We recognize the inconvenience this causes for residents and visitors in the Similkameen Valley, and we’re working diligently to secure appropriate coverage for future shifts.”
This closure represents the latest in a troubling pattern of healthcare disruptions in rural British Columbia communities. According to provincial healthcare data, emergency room closures in smaller communities have increased by approximately 23% over the past two years, with staffing shortages being the most commonly cited reason.
Patients requiring emergency care during the closure are being advised to call 9-1-1 in the event of an emergency. Alternatively, the nearest available emergency departments are located at Penticton Regional Hospital, approximately 49 kilometers away, or Princeton General Hospital, about 67 kilometers from Keremeos.
For non-emergency health concerns, residents can still contact HealthLink BC at 8-1-1, where registered nurses are available 24 hours a day to provide guidance. The healthcare staffing crisis continues to affect communities across Canada, with rural areas being disproportionately impacted.
Keremeos Mayor Walter Deegan expressed frustration over the timing of the announcement. “We received very little notice about this closure, which makes it difficult for our community to prepare. Many of our residents are elderly and don’t have reliable transportation to Penticton or Princeton. This puts them in a vulnerable position.”
Local healthcare advocacy groups, including the Similkameen Valley Healthcare Coalition, have been vocal about the need for sustainable solutions to prevent future closures. “This isn’t just about one day of closure—it’s about the ongoing erosion of rural healthcare services,” said coalition chair Sandra Reimer. “We need long-term strategies to recruit and retain medical professionals in smaller communities.”
Interior Health has assured residents that all other inpatient services at the South Similkameen Health Centre will continue as normal during the emergency department closure, including long-term care and laboratory services. Regular emergency services are expected to resume on Tuesday morning.
As communities across British Columbia grapple with healthcare access challenges, the question remains: will temporary solutions be enough to address the systemic issues facing rural healthcare delivery, or do we need a fundamental reimagining of how medical services are provided outside of urban centers?
