Recent ER closures have residents worried sick throughout the Peace Region

Communities across the Peace Region experienced multiple service interruptions at their local hospitals throughout the month of July, leaving residents frustrated and worried.

Fort St. John, Chetwynd, Dawson Creek, and Fort Nelson residents all felt the effects from multiple service interruptions at their local hospitals throughout the month of July. These closures included ER’s and the Fort St. John birthing center, where patients greater than 36 weeks were advised to stay in Dawson Creek until service had been restored.

According to a notice from Northern Health on their Facebook page, the causes are due to challenges with physician coverage and staff shortages.

“We do our best to notify the community as far in advance as we can... but it is often only after all efforts to arrange needed nursing staff or physician coverage have been exhausted that we can announce the specific timing and length of a diversion. In some cases, service interruptions can happen on very short notice (or end, just as suddenly) if they are related to an unexpected staff sick call, or a temporary patient capacity challenge,” said Northern Health Communications on social media.

“We recognize the concern that emergency department services interruptions cause for community residents as well as the dedicated medical staff, nurses, and allied health staff who provide care in Fort St. John, and we appreciate the community’s understanding and support for those staff,” said Northern Health Communications on a social media post.

With vaccination mandates being rescinded, health-care workers who were let go for not meeting previous COVID-19 vaccination requirements are now eligible to apply for and be rehired into positions.

“Unfortunately, service interruptions have also occurred in other BC health regions this year, as the health sector in BC and in other provinces experience a health workforce shortage that particularly impact rural and remote areas where recruitment and retention are more challenging, and where there are smaller pools of staff,” said Northern Health Communications on social media.