CHETWYND - The emergency department at the Chetwynd hospital will be on diversion due to ‘staffing challenges,’ according to Northern Health.
The service interruption was announced via social media. The ER is closed on Saturday from 8:00am until Monday at 8:00am.
Northern Health is no longer informing residents whether the closure is the result of a doctor or nursing shortage. Despite four years of saying they are working to address staffing shortages, Northern Health says the vacancy rate for emergency room nurses is at 29 per cent.
Residents who are in need of life-saving medical care are being asked to call 9-1-1 to be transported to the nearest available hospital.