Outpatient service changes at Cariboo Memorial Hospital

Interior Health (IH) advises that, due to wildfire activity in the Cariboo, the following outpatient “drop-in” services will be unavailable, until further notice, at Cariboo Memorial Hospital (CMH) in Williams Lake:

• Outpatient lab work 
• Outpatient Electrocardiograms (ECGs) 
• Outpatient X-rays and other diagnostic imaging exams

Please note: CMH continues to perform urgent or emergency lab work and diagnostic imaging. The hospital’s emergency department remains open for care; patients with concerns should attend the emergency room to have their needs assessed.

“These outpatient service changes are being made recognizing staffing and physician levels at the hospital have been reduced due to redeployment of some staff to other communities receiving evacuated patients, and as some have been impacted by evacuation alerts or orders,” said Interior Health. “In addition, air quality in the facility is being affected by smoke, resulting in a decision to limit access to the building.”

“A reduction in outpatient services will also allow resources to be focused on attending to patients in the emergency department.”

In addition, CMH Maternity services remain open, and can be reached by calling 250-392-4411.

Staff will contact patients who have regular, planned appointments, such as hemodialysis or chemotherapy, directly for possible changes in their care planning. Patients with booked cardiology tests (i.e. Holter monitors, stress tests) as well as elective diagnostic imaging will be contacted to reschedule their appointments.

During this time, IH would like to remind residents to use the CMH emergency department wisely, limiting visits to health care concerns that are serious or life-threatening. If you’re unsure if your needs are an emergency, please consider calling HealthLink BC at 8-1-1, to speak to a health care professional.

Residents will be updated if there are further service changes, and will also be notified when Cariboo Memorial Hospital is back to full operations. Please refer to the Major Events page on the IH website for further information.

“Interior Health appreciates the public’s patience as we work to ensure the safety of the public and our staff and physicians, given the impact of wildfire activity in the region.”