Tumbler Ridge ER closes for 50 hours, Northern Health explains lack of notification

TUMBLER RIDGE, B.C. — Northern Health has explained why it did not post a notification about the more than two-day closure of Tumbler Ridge Health Centre emergency room this week. 

Northern Health confirmed the 50-hour closure to Energeticcity.ca, saying the department was diverted from 7 a.m. on Monday, April 14th, until 9 a.m. on Wednesday, April 16th due to “staffing shortages.”

The authority also wrote about the diversion when it replied to an April 14th comment on its Facebook page. 

When asked why the diversion was not announced, the authority said the centre operates from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and it does not typically post on social media about the closure of emergency departments which are not open 24 hours.

Northern Health said patient transfer partners and local health services are informed when the ER is interrupted or closed after operating hours. 

Other facility services were unaffected, and residents still had access to primary care and diagnostic services.

It also advised residents to always call 911 for transport to the nearest available and appropriate facility in an emergency.