South Okanagan General hospital鈥檚 emergency department is closing for the fourth day in a row due to limited doctor availability.

Oliver and area residents have been without emergency services from Saturday through to Tuesday.

Emergency services will be unavailable from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12.

Patients can access emergency care at the Penticton Regional Hospital.

During the Labour Day weekend, the emergency was closed twice overnight.

Recently, Oliver Mayor Martin Johansen called the closures 鈥榰nacceptable鈥� and a sign of failing system. He predicted these closures will continue well into October as the area hospital doctor shortage shows no signs of changing.

鈥淭his is reaching a level that is showing that the system is in definite trouble,鈥� said Johansen.

People experiencing life-threatening symptoms, including chest pain, difficulty breathing and severe bleeding, should call 911 to arrange transport to the nearest available emergency facility.

Interior Health鈥檚 notice states the emergency department in Oliver is usually open 24/7.

Call HealthLink BC at 811 or visit HealthLinkBC.ca to find out if an emergency room visit is warranted.

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rebecca.willson@saobserver.net
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