Northern Health launches new webpage tracking emergency department status

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Northern Health has launched a new webpage tracking the status of emergency departments (ED) across its region.

The online tool provides real-time information on whether emergency departments across the Northern Health region are open or temporarily closed, most often due to staffing challenges. 

“When emergency departments are temporarily unavailable for any reason, the most important thing for someone facing a medical emergency is knowing where to go for care,” said Josie Osborne, minister of health. 

“This webpage helps people quickly see the status of EDs in their community and find clear information about other options when they need non-emergency care.”

Rather than comparing wait times between facilities, Northern Health said it chose to focus on the operational status of EDs. 

The health authority noted hospitals across the region vary significantly in size and capacity, services offered and distance from one another, making wait-time comparisons less useful.

“Given the geographic realities of a region as large as Northern Health, where hospital facilities are relatively distant from one another, current emergency department status is the key information for community residents to have access to,” said Lisa Zetes-Zanatta, vice-president of clinical operations with Northern Health. 

“Our partners in patient transport are always aware of local ED operations and challenges and of the need to ensure patients are transported to the appropriate facility for their care.”

In addition to ED status updates, the website directs people who may not require immediate emergency care to other available options. 

These include urgent and primary care centres, virtual care services and community-based health resources.

Northern Health says it will continue to notify the public about expected ED service interruptions through social media and other communication channels, alongside the new webpage.

Northern Health’s announcement follows the launch of ‘Is ER Open?’ – a similar, independent website started by Dawson Creek resident Romeo Macabuhay.

Macabuhay previously told Energeticcity.ca he reached out to Northern Health to potentially collaborate on maintaining the platform, but the health authority declined as its own webpage was being developed.

For more information on ED status and the new webpage, visit Northern Health’s website.