Delta, B.C., emergency room closures prompt concern from paramedics, mayor [Video]

The emergency room at the hospital in Delta, B.C., reopened Monday morning after staffing challenges forced it to close twice over the weekend, prompting questions from the city’s mayor and the union representing paramedics and dispatchers. 

In a statement, Fraser Health said the ER at Delta Hospital closed overnight Saturday and reopened on Sunday morning. It shuttered again Sunday night and reopened Monday at 6:30 a.m. PT. 

Fraser Health said the closures stemmed from a doctor shortage. The service interruption aimed to ensure patients already in the emergency department could be seen by a physician before the end of their shift at 1:30 a.m., the health authority said.

After 9:30 p.m., emergency-trained nurses were on site for walk-in patients needing basic first aid and to help transfer patients with urgent needs to another hospital.

LISTEN | Delta mayor, paramedics raise concern over ER closure:Delta Mayor George Harvie and Ian Tait from …