Dawson Creek’s emergency department will be closed until 3 p.m. today due to a staffing shortage.
Northern Health said the service interruption at the Dawson Creek and District Hospital will be in place until 3 p.m. on Friday, Oct 3.
The break in emergency services began at five that morning.
This pause is no exception in the northeast, as the emergency departments in Chetwynd and Fort Nelson were temporarily closed last month. In both cases, Northern Health said the cause was “staffing challenges.”
To combat this shortage in healthcare workers, the province “launched a recruitment marketing campaign targeting healthcare workers in Washington, Oregon and select cities in California during June and July 2025.” Their current stage of this project involves advertising in academic publications across the States.
Workers approved will see an expedited licensing process before they can apply for work in one of the six health authorities across British Columbia.
Anyone who is experiencing a medical emergency, which may include chest pains, a broken bone, or a similarly dire issue, should call emergency services to be transported to the closest open emergency room. If it is unclear whether a symptom is severe enough for the department, residents are encouraged to call 8-1-1 and speak with a representative of HealthLink B.C. to check.
Non-urgent medical needs may be addressed by HealthLink’s agent directly. They can also be dealt with at an appointment with a primary care practitioner or Northern Health’s virtual clinic.
