Multi-day diversion now impacting Chetwynd Hospital emergency department

CHETWYND, B.C. — Chetwynd Hospital’s emergency department is now facing a diversion set to last more than 24 hours.

Northern Health announced on Facebook that the department will be closed between 8:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 2nd, and 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 3rd.

The cause of the diversion is “physician coverage challenges,” the same reason for most of the five diversions that occurred throughout June.

While the diversion is in effect, residents who need life-threatening urgent care for issues like chest pains and severe bleeding are urged to call an ambulance for transportation to the nearest available emergency department, located more than an hour’s drive away in Dawson Creek.

During the June 7th episode of This Week in the Peace, Health Minister Adrian Dix spoke about the diversions, saying the government is working to address staffing shortages with temporary workers and incentive programs.

Chetwynd’s mayor discussed the diversions during the May 31st episode of This Week in the Peace, saying they’re a major concern for council.

In an interview in early May, Peace River South MLA Mike Bernier called the diversions “horrifying.”

The South Peace Division of Family Care, a group of healthcare workers from Dawson Creek, Chetwynd and Tumbler Ridge, says it’s working to recruit and hire more doctors and nurses for the area.

The organization is also planning to turn Dawson Creek’s Eljen Healthcare Clinic into a “primary care hub” for the entire South Peace region, and it’s working alongside Northern Health to make it happen.