FSJ hospital reports ‘higher than usual’ patient volumes

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Higher than usual patient volumes may result in longer wait times at Fort St. John Hospital.

According to a Northern Health Facebook post on April 28th, “Fort St. John and area residents are advised that Fort St. John Hospital is experiencing higher than usual patient volumes, and wait times in the various departments, including emergency, may be longer than usual.” 

In the post, Northern Health said anyone with less urgent care needs should visit their primary care provider or family physician’s office to help reduce strain on emergency and acute care resources. 

It also said individuals without a family doctor or nurse practitioner are encouraged to book an appointment with the Northern Health Virtual Clinic by calling 1-844-645-7811, which is monitored from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, including weekends and statutory holidays. 

Residents who are unsure if their condition requires an emergency room visit or who need health advice can call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 or can visit the HealthLink BC website for information from nurses, dietitians and pharmacists on non-emergency related health information, 24 hours a day, seven days per week. 

Those who require emergency room attention can call 9-1-1 or visit the local emergency room. 

According to Northern Health, its emergency rooms tend to patients who have experienced a sudden or unusual change in their health, including but not limited to breathing difficulties, severe bleeding or pain, chest pain, broken bones and eye injuries.