A satellite outpatient lab in Greater Victoria is closing for three weeks to ensure reliable and consistent acute service, according to Island Health.
The health authority gave notice on Sunday, saying the Sidney Satellite outpatient lab on James White Boulevard would be temporarily closed effective Monday, June 13th.
“We acknowledge the inconvenience of this temporary change and appreciate people’s patience as we work to support acute and outpatient services,” Island Health said in its notice.
The Sidney Satellite lab provides medical laboratory services, and during the closure, patients are encouraged to instead visit Saanich Peninsula Hospital or the LifeLabs location in Sidney.
But this isn’t the first closure notice from Island Health in recent weeks, after staff shortages forced Port McNeill Hospital’s (PMH) emergency department to close on several occasions.
For 12 hours between May 27th and 28th, the local ER closed, and those with a medical emergency were urged to call 911 or head to Port Hardy Hospital, which is a half-hour drive away. That followed closures in mid-May and in March.
“Anyone with a booked appointment at the Sidney Satellite lab will be contacted directly and informed that their appointment will take place on the same day and time at Saanich Peninsula Hospital,” Island Health added.
The lab is expected to reopen as usual on Monday, July 4th, but patients should check Island Health’s website or call 1 (877) 370-8355 for updated information.
To ensure reliable, consistent acute and outpatient laboratory service, the Sidney Satellite outpatient lab at 2357 James White Blvd will be closed from June 13 – 30. Existing appointments will be moved to Saanich Peninsula Hospital. Learn more: https://t.co/q2V47SMO2p pic.twitter.com/Whj7AKhfxj
— Island Health (@VanIslandHealth) June 12, 2022
