Chetwynd General Hospital emergency department open again following overnight closure

CHETWYND, B.C. — The emergency department at Chetwynd General Hospital closed overnight for the second time this week, due to “staffing challenges.”

Northern Health announced on Wednesday, February 26th, shortly after 7:00 p.m., that the department was closed and would reopen at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 27th.

Staff members at the facility confirmed to Energeticcity.ca over the phone on the morning of the 27th that the emergency department had reopened.

This is the second diversion at the facility so far this week, after another overnight closure from Tuesday to Wednesday.

While the diversion was in effect, residents in need of life-threatening urgent care were told to call 911 for transportation to the nearest available emergency department.

Meanwhile, people with less urgent care needs could contact their primary care provider or call the NH Virtual Primary & Community Care Clinic at 1-844-645-7811. 

This comes after Energeticcity.ca revealed Northern Health reported more than 800 hours of hospital closures throughout northeast B.C. between July 2024 and January 2025.