New hours for the emergency department at the Sussex Health Centre take effect on Monday.

The ER, which was open 24 hours a day, will now close at 8:30 p.m. nightly and reopen at 7:30 a.m. the next day.

Horizon Health said the “temporary” change comes amid staffing challenges, namely when it comes to a lack of physicians.

Margaret Melanson, interim president and CEO of Horizon, told reporters last week that there are no plans to make this change permanent.

She said efforts are underway to recruit more physicians and nurses to the Sussex area.

Melanson said they hope to restore 24/7 ER service in Sussex within a year.

Sussex-area residents are encouraged to use Tele-Care 811, pharmacies, virtual care, and after-hours clinics for non-urgent medical needs.

Attention: #Sussex and surrounding areas! Effective Sept. 12, 2022 the Emergency Department (ED) at Horizon’s Sussex Health Centre will temporarily change its hours to 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m., seven days a week. pic.twitter.com/DfybOLM5Kk

— Horizon Health Network (@HorizonHealthNB) September 6, 2022