UPDATE: Northern Health announces another emergency department diversion at Chetwynd Hospital

UPDATE: Northern Health has announced that the duration of this diversion has been shortened. The emergency department at Chetwynd Hospital will now re-open at 8:00 p.m. Friday, July 19th. We’ve updated the article below to reflect this change.

CHETWYND, B.C. — Northern Health has announced another diversion at the emergency department at Chetwynd Hospital and Health Centre.

The health agency said in a Facebook post on the evening of July 18th “physician coverage challenges,” will keep the doors shuttered from 8:00 a.m. Friday morning until 8:00 p.m. Friday evening.

Those in need of life-threatening emergency care are urged to call 9-1-1 for transport to the nearest available and appropriate facility, according to the post.

Non-urgent care patients can make a virtual appointment with the Northern Health’s virtual clinic at 1-844-745-7811. 

First Nations’ patients can make a virtual appointment via the First Nations’ doctor of the day program by calling 1-855-344-3800 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.  

Others can also make an appointment with a pharmacist by visiting the book a pharmacist website.

Patients who are unsure of their condition can access HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 or visit their website.

This latest diversion is the sixth such situation since the beginning of July.  An earlier diversion on July 14th went unannounced until the next day.

There have been more than a dozen diversions at Chetwynd General Hospital since April.

Local solicitor and barrister Tyler Holte launched a petition to launch an open inquiry into the closures at Fort St. John Hospital.

It has received more than 3,800 signatures, and Northern Health said in a statement it was well aware of the campaign.  

The topic of the closures has even been discussed at the latest Peace River Regional District meeting. 

On Wednesday, Northern Health announced in a Facebook post that no new diversions would occur at Fort St. John Hospital into the weekend.