Northern Health is warning that wait times at the Fort St. John emergency department may be longer than usual.
The health authority said in a post of Facebook that the emergency department is experiencing higher than usual patient volumes and that could affect wait times in the ER.
To help reduce strain on emergency and acute care resources, those with less urgent care needs are advised to visit their primary care provider or family physician’s office or a local walk-in clinic during regular business hours.
Patients can also contact the NH Virtual Primary & Community Care Clinic from 10 am to 10 pm daily, including weekends and statutory holidays.
The First Nations Virtual Doctor of the Day program also enables Indigenous people and their family members living in BC with limited or no access to their own doctors to make virtual appointments, by calling 1-855-344-3800 (seven days per week, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm).
Patients who aren’t sure whether their condition would warrant an emergency room visit, or who need health advice can call HealthLink BC (8-1-1), or visit http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/ for non-emergency health information from nurses, dietitians, and pharmacists 24 hours a day, seven days per week.
Individuals who require emergency attention should call 9-1-1, or visit the local emergency room. Northern Health’s emergency rooms tend to patients who have experienced a sudden and/or unusual change in their health. This includes, but is not limited to, breathing difficulties, severe bleeding or pain, chest pain, broken bones, and eye injuries. Thank you for your patience.