FORT NELSON, B.C. - Residents in Fort Nelson and the surrounding area will face a temporary interruption in emergency department services this weekend due to staffing challenges.
According to Northern Health, the emergency department at Fort Nelson General Hospital will be closed from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 11.
Northern Health said, “People requiring life-threatening emergency care during the closure, including those experiencing chest pain, difficulty breathing or severe bleeding, should call 911 for transport to the nearest available and appropriate facility.”
The health authority noted that whenever emergency services are interrupted, patient transfer partners and local health-care services are notified.
Signage will also be posted at the hospital directing patients to call 911 if they require emergency transportation.
Northern Health cautioned that emergency department statuses can change on short notice and said information in public notices may be outdated by the time residents view them.
The health authority recommends checking its emergency department status webpage for real-time updates on service availability.
Northern Health did not provide additional details on the specific staffing challenges affecting Fort Nelson General Hospital.
The temporary closure is the latest in a series of service interruptions that have affected communities across Northeast B.C. as the health authority continue to contend with staffing shortages.