Dawson Creek hospital emergency services to close for 10 hours

DAWSON CREEK, B.C. — Northern Health has announced a second closure at a northeast B.C. hospital emergency room in one day.

Dawson Creek residents have been informed by the health authority through a Facebook post that the Dawson Creek and District Hospital’s emergency department will be shuttered from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, August 21st.

The reason for the closure is cited as “staffing challenges,” according to the post.

There will also be a closure at Fort Nelson General Hospital on August 20th, also for “unexpected staffing challenges.”

People in the Dawson Creek area who need life-threatening emergency care are urged to call 9-1-1 for transport to the nearest available emergency facility.

For non-urgent care needs, patients should contact their primary care provider to make an appointment, or call the Virtual Primary and Community Care clinic at 1-844-645-7811 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. to access a healthcare professional.

The First Nations Virtual Doctor of the Day program also enables Indigenous people and their family members living in B.C. with limited or no access to their own doctors to make virtual appointments at 1-855-344-3800 seven days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Patients who aren’t sure whether their condition would warrant an emergency room visit, or who need health advice, can call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 or visit its website.