Fort Nelson ER diverted again due to nursing shortage this weekend

UPDATE July 5th 10:40 a.m.: This article has been updated to include new information from Northern Health.

FORT NELSON, B.C. — Northern Health announced Fort Nelson General Hospital’s emergency department will be diverted on Friday morning and continue into the weekend.

This will be the second diversion in as many weekends, after a diversion from Saturday, June 29th at 4:00 p.m. and Sunday June 30th at 7:00 a.m. 

A Facebook post said the department will be shut down between 4:00 a.m. on Friday, July 5th until 6:00 a.m. on July 6th, due to what the health authority described as a shortage of “ED-trained nursing staff,” which the health authority defines as “nurses who are trained in providing emergency department care.”

Those who require life-threatening emergency care, such as chest pains, breathing difficulties, or severe breathing are urged to call 9-1-1 for transport to the nearest available facility, according to the post.

The NH Virtual Clinic will handle non-urgent care needs. Residents can contact the NH Virtual Clinic at 1-844-645-7811 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. to access a family doctor or nurse practitioner. 

Northern BC residents can also book an appointment with a pharmacist for minor ailments and prescription contraceptives.

The post says First Nations communities make virtual appointments with for their family members with limited or no access by calling 1-855-344-3800 from 8:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Residents who are unsure of whether their condition would warrant an emergency visit are asked to call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 or visit their website at HealthLinkbc.ca for non-emergency medical assessment.