‘Staffing challenges’ interrupt Chetwynd General Hospital ER

CHETWYND, B.C. — The emergency department at Chetwynd General Hospital will be unavailable overnight. 

According to a Facebook post on the Northern Health Chetwynd and Area page, the emergency department will be closed due to “staffing challenges” from 6 p.m. on March 10th to 8 a.m. on March 11th. 

The health authority is urging residents who need life-threatening emergency care for chest pains, difficulty breathing or severe bleeding to call 911 for transport to the nearest available and appropriate facility. 

The post said Northern Health partners in patient transfer and local health services are notified of interruptions and signage is placed at the hospital informing patients to call 911. 

People with non-urgent care needs can contact their primary care provider to make an appointment, or contact the Northern Health Virtual Clinic at 1-844-645-7811 between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily. 

The health authority said it appreciates the community’s continued understanding and support for its dedicated healthcare providers and staff.