Dawson Creek and District Hospital emergency department diverted due to ‘staffing challenges’

DAWSON CREEK, B.C. — The Dawson Creek and District Hospital is experiencing its first emergency department diversion of 2025.

Northern Health announced at 1:08 p.m. on Tuesday, January 21st, that the hospital’s emergency department would be closed from 1:00 to 10:00 p.m. that day, due to “staffing challenges”.

This is the first diversion at the facility in January, after it experienced three diversions in December lasting a combined total of 40 hours.

Residents experiencing medical emergencies in need of urgent care are urged to call 911 for transportation to the nearest available emergency department.

For non-urgent care needs, residents can call the Northern Health Virtual Primary & Community Care Clinic at 1-844-645-7811, available from 10 a.m to 10 p.m. seven days a week, to access a family doctor or nurse practitioner.