Valemount, B.C.- Northern Health is making some changes to emergency service in Valemount in an effort to   keep the nurses it has, and encourage more to come to the area.

Effective January 2^nd, on-call health staff in Valemount will provide after-hours 9-1-1 response only.

 

This is a major change from the current practice which allows for Valemount residents to call a nurse directly or visit the health centre after hours where they would be met by the on call nurse.

 

“Northern Health has worked closely with Valemount physicians and staff to focus on providing the best level of emergency service we can,” said Michael McMillan, chief operating officer for the northern interior health service delivery area. “Our goal is to protect the well-being of our dedicated staff, while ensuring the emergency health needs of Valemount residents continue to be met."

 

Valemount residents with emergency health care needs outside the Community Health Care Centres regular operating hours should call 9-1-1, to have the appropriate staff respond to the health centre. After-hours calls of a non-emergency nature will be re-directed to the 8-1-1 HealthLink BC service for 24/7 health advice from a registered nurse.

 

Valemount Community Health Centre will continue to provide emergency services Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and on a walk-in basis from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.