Photo: Contributed

Clearwater residents will have limited access to the hospital's emergency department this weekend.

Interior Health has said the Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital ER will have reduced hours due to limited staffing availability.

The emergency department will be closed at 6 p.m. today until 7 a.m. Sunday when full service is expected to resume.

Interior Health reminds residents to call 911 in the event of an emergency.

IH is recommending patients go to the Royal Inland Hospital emergency room, 311 Columbia St., Kamloops.

They can also call HealthLinkBC at 811, 24 hours a day, if they are unsure of the need to seek emergency care.

The emergency department in Clearwater is normally open 24/7.