FORT ST. JOHN -- Northern Health is advising residents that emergency department services at the Fort St. John Hospital will be interrupted this afternoon into tomorrow morning.
The ER will be on diversion beginning at 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 1st, 2024, and will remain closed until Wednesday, October 2nd at 5:00 a.m.
According to the Health Authority, the interruption is due to ‘staffing challenges.’
“People in Fort St. John and area who need life-threatening emergency care should call 9-1-1 for transport to the nearest available and appropriate facility,” said Northern Health in a statement.
MLA Dan Davies reacting to the closure in a Facebook post saying “The government must do something else because what is currently happening is obviously not working here and across the province.”
Davies adds that he along with local government officials have been advocating for an independent audit of Northern Health.
“I will be working with local governments and communities in looking at potential hospital boards to bring back some localized control,” said Davies.
The Birthing Centre, surgery suites, and ambulatory clinics will not be impacted.
In September, the emergency department was forced to close twice due to staff shortages, with a September 4th diversion being blamed on ‘challenges with physician coverage.’
