For the second weekend in a row, Interior Health (IH) says a doctor shortage will close Oliver hospital's emergency department.

Emergency services at the South Okanagan General Hospital will be unavailable from 1 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 16, to noon on Saturday, Aug. 17.

This marks the third closure at the hospital in seven days.

Patients can access care at the Penticton Regional Hospital during this weekend's shutdown, IH said.

Oliver's emergency department has been plagued by closures for several months, with its most recent service interruption coming on Monday, Aug. 12. The room also closed for more than 24 consecutive hours last weekend.

People in the community who need life-threatening emergency care (i.e., chest pains, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding) should always call 911 for transport to the nearest available and appropriate facility, IH added.