If the Vancouver Island Health Authority decides to shut down ER departments at Campbell River and Comox hospitals, Nanaimo’s ER ward could be impacted, says the vice-president of the BC Nurses’ Union.

Anne Shannon said VIHA is considering an option to close the ER facilities at the two hospitals and open a new one at an undisclosed location. This may put more strain on Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.

“It’s a possibility that with only one emergency department, they may be running at overcapacity, too. The wait time in ER departments can be crucial to people,” she said, and in that case some people may decide to go to Nanaimo instead of the proposed new facility.

“We do know that Nanaimo can’t handle any more than they’ve got now.”

Shannon said Comox and Campbell River are growing and their ER wards usually operate overcapacity, with a combination of 180 acute care beds between the two facilities.

VIHA hired a consultation firm to look at the options available to deal with the situation.

“One was to upgrade both to today’s standards and the other option was to build a new regional hospital in an undisclosed area,” Shannon said.

Shannon said closing both and opening one will probably only add between 14 to 18 beds, and more than 10,000 petitions have gone to VIHA requesting them to upgrade both facilities.

“What we’re asking for is that they have more consultation with the people.