Northern Health’s inability to attract enough new health-care workers over the past five years, has led to more hospital diversions in Northeast BC.
The on-going diversion in Hudson’s Hope has been extended for at least another week.
Northern Health now suggests the Health Centre will not re-open until Monday April 27th.
Emergency Room services have been unavailable in Hudson’s Hope since April 10th. This is the fourth time the health authority has extended the closure.
Travous Quibell, mayor of Hudson’s Hope, says the situation escalated last fall when the district lost its second physician. “We’re down one physician, and that’s putting a strain on the emergency department,” said Quibell.
The Emergency Department in Fort Nelson was also closed on Sunday. Emergency services were unavailable from 7:00 am Sunday, April 19 to 7:00 pm Sunday, April 19 due to staffing challenges.
Northern Health said those in need of life saving emergency care would be taken to the nearest hospital, which is over four hours away in Fort St. John.