Northern Health expands emergency care hours at Tumbler Ridge Health Centre

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Emergency care hours at the Tumbler Ridge Health Centre have been expanded. 

According to a post uploaded to Northern Health – Tumbler Ridge and area by Northern Health on June 1st said emergency care hours at the centre will be available seven days a week starting June 1st. 

Previously, in September 2025, on-call coverage at the centre was between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays. 

The post said residents can access urgent and emergency care at the health center daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., including weekends and statutory holidays. 

In addition, mental health support will also be available for residents from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. 

The emergency department saw diversions through 2025. In July, services were interrupted for 12 hours due to “limited resources.” 

The mayor and council of Tumbler Ridge condemned the decision and said the council was “greatly concerned about the impact” this will have on the community. 

In addition, a mass shooting on February 10th by Jesse Van Rootsellar, who also died, claimed the lives of eight people at the Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and at a residence nearby. 

The health authority asked residents who want to access the health centre in the evening, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and on weekends or holidays, to ring the bell at the side entrance. 

During after-hours, from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m., residents are asked to continue calling 911 for life-threatening health emergencies.