Northern Health diverts Tumbler Ridge emergency department

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A photograph of the diversion notice taped to the door of the Tumbler Ridge Medical Clinic. (Facebook)

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The Tumbler Ridge emergency department is currently on diversion and later tonight.

According to a photo posted to the People of Tumbler Ridge Facebook group, the Tumbler Ridge Medical Clinic emergency department is on diversion between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on July 25th “due to limited resources.”

Arthur Williams, communications advisor with Northern Health, confirmed the closure, stating it was not announced in the Tumbler Ridge Northern Health Facebook page because it is “essentially just a triage centre.”

“For those really, really small health centres where they’re essentially just a triage centre…we don’t normally do notices for those,” Williams said.

Residents in need of life-threatening, emergency medical care are encouraged to call 9-1-1 for transportation to the nearest available facility.

For non-emergency medical attention, those without a family doctor or nurse practitioner are advised to call the Northern Health Virtual Primary and Community Care Clinic at 1-844-645-7811.

This is the second emergency room closure of a Northern Health-operated emergency department in the Peace River region in the month of July.