Chetwynd General Hospital emergency department closed amid staffing challenges

CHETWYND, B.C. — The emergency department at the Chetwynd General Hospital is in the midst of a 25-hour closure, the first time it has shut since February.

Northern Health announced on social media at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 26th that the department would be closed from 7:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 27th until 8:00 a.m. Friday, March 28th, due to “staffing challenges.”

This is the first diversion at the facility so far in March, after two closures in late February.

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

Meanwhile, people with less urgent care needs can contact their primary care provider or call the NH Virtual Primary and 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.

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