Dawson Creek loses orthopedic surgeon and hiring efforts hit stumbling block

Note: The writer of this article was one of the patients affected by the surgery vacancy.

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Dawson Creek has lost its orthopedic surgeon and Northern Health hit a stumbling block in its effort to fill the position. 

On November 20th, in a phone call to an Energeticcity.ca reporter awaiting orthopedic surgery in Dawson Creek, a member of the Dawson Creek and District Hospital’s optimization for surgery department informed them there was no longer an orthopedic surgeon in Dawson Creek. 

The reporter had previously received a call in October stating the surgeon who had previously been stationed in Dawson Creek was moving to practice in the Lower Mainland, and that a replacement was under consideration to move from a practice in another province. 

According to the call, a surgeon was selected by Northern Health to fill the position, however they were allegedly denied approval by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC), leaving the position vacant. 

CPSBC told Energeticcity.ca it was unable to comment on individual cases and the registration or application status of physicians. 

In a statement to Energeticcity.ca on November 21st, Northern Health confirmed it did not have an orthopedic surgeon at the Dawson Creek and District Hospital at this time, and is “actively recruiting” to fill the vacancy. 

Patients impacted by the departure of a physician before treatment is received have been told to discuss their care needs with their primary care providers to “make plans based on their individual needs.” 

Individuals without primary care providers who were referred for surgery by Northern Health’s Virtual Clinic are advised to contact the clinic again for an appointment to discuss care options, according to the call with the Energeticcity.ca reporter. This means anyone impacted by the departure of the surgeon has lost their position on waiting lists, and has been returned to the start of the referral process to receive surgical treatment. 

“In cases where planned surgeries or other procedures need to be cancelled, because the surgeon or physician is leaving practice or otherwise unable to provide the service, patients are notified that their referrals will be sent back to their primary care provider – or provider who created the referral – to review with the patient and develop another referral,” the health authority stated. 

According to Northern Health, in the Peace River region, there is one orthopedic surgeon practicing in Fort St. John, with a second expected to begin practicing “in the coming months.” 

No information was provided by the health authority regarding when a replacement was expected to be secured or when they might be expected to begin accepting patients.