Island Health has announced that the overnight closure of the Saanich Peninsula Hospital (SPH) emergency room has been extended due to “ongoing physician recruitment challenges.”
 
The ER department will continue the current overnight closure from 10 pm to 7 am, originally scheduled to end tonight. 

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Ambulances will continue to be diverted to Royal Jubilee Hospital or Victoria General Hospital during the hours the ER is closed.

According to the health authority, before the ER closure earlier this summer, an average of about 13 patients ER overnight, with about two arriving by ambulance. 

Island Health says that since the temporary change, between the Royal Jubilee Hospital and Victoria General Hospital emergency departments, an average of less than three patients have been seen each night who reside on the Saanich Peninsula.

“Island Health acknowledges this is not an ideal situation for the community and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience experienced by this temporary service interruption while we continue recruitment efforts and explore care models to strengthen, extend and support our care providers,” Island Health said in a statement. 

During this time, all other inpatient services will continue as normal at SPH.
 
Anyone experiencing a medical emergency should call 911 or, if possible, proceed to Royal Jubilee Hospital or Victoria General Hospital. If you are unsure if you are experiencing a medical situation requiring a visit to an emergency department, confidential health information and advice from a registered nurse is available toll free, 24/7 by calling HealthLink BC at 811.