Dawson Creek emergency department closes due to ‘staffing challenges’

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. —  The Dawson Creek and District Hospital emergency department has been temporarily closed. 

In a July 16th Facebook post published around 12:45 p.m., Northern Health announced the emergency department was closed until 10 p.m. that evening due to “staffing challenges.” 

Residents in need of life-threatening, emergency medical care are encouraged to call 9-1-1 for transportation to the nearest available facility. 

For non-emergency medical attention, those without a family doctor or nurse practitioner are advised to call the Northern Health Virtual Primary and Community Care Clinic at 1-844-645-7811.

This is the first emergency room closure of a Northern Health-operated emergency department in the Peace River region in the month of July, after one was cancelled on July 10th.