The South Similkameen Health Centre in Keremeos will close its emergency department on May 16 according to a notice by Interior Health. 

People who need emergency services are instead being directed to Penticton Regional Hospital.

 Emergency services will be unavailable from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and all other services are unaffected. 

Interior Health stated that people in the community who need life-threatening emergency care (i.e., chest pains, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding) should always call 911 for transport to the nearest available and appropriate facility. 

It is the first closure of this type to affect the facility in recent years. 

The South Okanagan General Hospital in Oliver has seen repeated closures of its emergency department due to staffing shortages.

The press release from Interior Health does not indicate what is behind the temporary closure of emergency services in Keremeos.