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UPDATED: Nursing shortage led to 12-hour closure of emergency room at Saanich Peninsula Hospital

Island Health directed patients to Victoria General Hospital or Royal Jubilee Hospital
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A nursing shortage closed the emergency room at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital for 12 hours with Island Health directing patients to Victoria General Hospital or Royal Jubilee Hospital. (Black Press Media file photo)

A statement from Island Health said a nursing shortage led to the 12-hour closure of the emergency room at Saanich Peninsula Hospital.

The temporary closure meant the hospital’s ER did not accept new patients between 7 p.m. Saturday and 7 a.m. Sunday morning.

“Please go to Victoria General Hospital or Royal Jubilee Hospital if you require emergency services,” read a tweet sent out Saturday evening.

“(We) try our very best to cover shifts but there are times, despite these efforts, that these temporary shortages occur,” read the statement.

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It is not clear how many patients had to receive care in the emergency departments at Victoria General or Royal Jubilee Hospitals rather than Saanich Peninsula Hospital.

“We understand the impact this had on area residents who may have required emergency services last evening, and we apologize for this temporary diversion,” it read.


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wolfgang.depner@peninsulanewsreview.com