‘Staffing challenges’ close Tumbler Ridge ER for day

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Tumbler Ridge will go without access to its emergency room for an entire day due to “staffing challenges.”

At 8 p.m. on October 15th, Northern Health announced via Facebook that the Tumbler Ridge Health Centre would be closed for the entirety of October 16th due to “staffing challenges.”

The centre’s emergency room’s regular hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with on-call coverage from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays. 

This is the health centre’s first closure since September, when Northern Health reduced its on-call hours due to concerns about “a sharp decline in available physicians.”

On-call hours used to be overnight and at the weekends, and the cut has so far prompted protests, open houses and a petition to the provincial legislature and the Ministry of Health.   

“Other services are not affected, and community residents have continued access to primary care at the Tumbler Ridge Health Centre,” the post stated. 

During an emergency room closure, residents in need of life-threatening emergency care are encouraged to call 911 for transportation to the nearest available medical facility.

Those requiring non-urgent care can contact their primary care provider or the Northern Health Virtual Clinic at 1-844-645-7811.