TUMBLER RIDGE, B.C. - Residents in Tumbler Ridge will be without local emergency department services on Thursday.
Northern Health says the Emergency Department at the Tumbler Ridge Health Centre will remain closed until 8 a.m. Friday, October 30 because of ongoing staffing challenges.
People requiring life-threatening emergency care, including chest pain, difficulty breathing or severe bleeding, are being told to call 9-1-1 for transport to the nearest available and appropriate hospital.
Health officials say local patient transfer partners and health services have been notified, and signage will be posted at the facility during the closure.
For non-urgent medical concerns, Northern Health is encouraging residents to contact their primary care provider.
People without a family doctor or nurse practitioner can access the Northern Health Virtual Primary and Community Care Clinic, which operates daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Indigenous residents and their family members can also access care through the First Nations Virtual Doctor of the Day program.
In addition, pharmacists across B.C. can assess and treat a number of minor ailments and provide prescription contraceptives.
Anyone unsure whether their condition requires emergency care is advised to contact HealthLink BC by calling 8-1-1
Northern Health notes emergency department service levels can change with little notice and says its online emergency department status page provides the most up-to-date information on closures and service interruptions.