Local ER closures, resulting from “staffing shortages”, were commonplace across the northeast last year. With the new year here, Northern Health said it is hoping to improve that.
From January to November of 2025, there were over 550 hours of emergency room interruptions in the northeast, according to Northern Health, which provided information on closures in Chetwynd, Dawson Creek, and Fort Nelson.
In the south Peace, the Chetwynd Hospital and Health Centre had 26 closures resulting in 373 combined hours, or over 15 days’ worth, of service stoppages in the community. Dawson Creek’s ER saw less than half this number. Northern Health reported 11 incidents, which resulted in 120 hours of unavailability.
Heading northward, the emergency room in Fort Nelson saw the fewest interruptions, with five reported for a total of 59 hours. Data provided by the health authority for the Northern Rockies did not include the over-two-week closures of the department resulting from a wildfire evacuation order in May.
“Emergency department service interruptions are always a last resort, when all options to keep the ER open have failed,” wrote the healthcare provider for the northeast in a statement for My Peace Region Now.
“Our partners in patient transfer, as well as nearby Northern Health facilities and services, are always notified of both planned and unexpected service interruptions, to ensure patients are transported to the nearest available and appropriate facility for their care needs.”
A taskforce was created by the health authority to “identify innovative ways to reduce emergency department service interruptions in communities across the Northern Health region” in May of 2024. They are also working to address the staffing shortages often cited by the healthcare provider when closures occur.
“(The emergency department stabilization taskforce is) obtaining priority access to several new nurse staffing agencies to help reduce emergency department coverage gaps in the north. (They are also) exploring virtual and hybrid emergency department options, with the goal of establishing a pilot project in the north,” explained Northern Health.
Members of the group also created the Prince George-based northern emergency response team who help transfer patients with critical needs between facilities.
“The team works alongside B.C. Emergency Health Services to support ground ambulance transfers in the northern interior and Chetwynd,” continued the health authority.
During these closures, emergency medical care is still available. Anyone experiencing severe bleeding, chest pains, or difficulty breathing should call 9-1-1 to be taken to the closest, open, hospital.
Data for closures from the emergency room of the Fort St John Hospital was not provided.
