Emergency department services at Fort Nelson General Hospital are temporarily unavailable due to staffing challenges.
Northern Health said the emergency department closed at 6 a.m. Monday and is expected to reopen at 8 a.m. Tuesday.
The health authority is warning that the status of the emergency department can change with little notice and is encouraging residents to check its Emergency Department Status page for the latest information.
Anyone experiencing a life-threatening emergency, including chest pain, difficulty breathing or severe bleeding, is asked to call 911. BC Emergency Health Services can then arrange transportation to the nearest available and appropriate facility.
Northern Health said patient transfer partners and local health services are notified when emergency department services are interrupted, and signage is placed at the hospital directing patients to call 911 for transportation.
For non-urgent medical concerns, residents can contact the Northern Health Virtual Primary and Community Care Clinic at 1-844-645-7811. The service is available daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and provides access to a family doctor or nurse practitioner.
The First Nations Virtual Doctor of the Day program is also available to Indigenous people and their family members who have limited or no access to a doctor. Appointments can be booked at 1-855-344-3800, seven days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Residents can also call HealthLink B.C. at 8-1-1 for non-emergency health information from nurses, dietitians and pharmacists, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Northern Health is thanking the Fort Nelson community for its patience and understanding during the service interruption.
