Northern Health warns of gaps in specialist care for pregnancy next month

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Northern Health has issued a warning about gaps in specialist pregnancy care which are anticipated to start next month. 

Just before 2 p.m. on July 21st, Northern Health posted a written statement on its Facebook page regarding pregnancy care in the health authority’s region. 

The statement encourages those who are greater than 20 weeks into their pregnancy to seek medical attention at their primary care provider, via the Northern Health Virtual Clinic or otherwise at the labour and delivery department of the University Hospital of Northern British Columbia in Prince George. 

“Like many other centres throughout B.C., we are experiencing a shortage of Royal College obstetrical specialists that provide care and consultative services to high-risk pregnant individuals,” the statement read.

The post references “gaps in specialist coverage beginning in August 2025,” but does not specify where these gaps will be within the Northern Health region. 

The health authority also stated there may be times where an individual may be transferred to another centre in the province, but clarified this would come at no cost to the patient. 

This comes more than two months after Dawson Creek’s gynecologist departed the community. 

In May, Energeticcity.ca reached out to Northern Health, which stated it was aware of the physician’s departure and was “actively recruiting” for the vacancy. 

Energeticcity.ca has contacted Northern Health regarding the statement and will update this story as more information becomes available.