Non-urgent care patients urged to avoid Fort St. John Hospital as it reports ‘long wait times’

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Fort St. John Hospital’s emergency department is experiencing high patient volumes and longer wait times.

Northern Health is currently asking residents with less urgent care needs to visit their doctors or walk-in clinics to reduce strain on the hospital’s resources. 

Anyone requiring emergency attention is still urged to call 911 or visit their local emergency room.

Anyone without a doctor is encouraged to call the Northern Health Virtual Clinic at 1-844-645-7811. Appointments can be booked from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, including weekends and statutory holidays.

Indigenous people can make appointments with the First Nations Virtual Doctor of the Day program by calling 1-855-344-3800 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., seven days a week.

The health authority also advises patients who don’t know if their conditions warrant an emergency room visit to call HealthLink BC at 811 or find more information here.