A community in Northern British Columbia is experiencing a decrease in access to emergency medical services due to a shortage of physicians, prompting Northern Health to reduce operating hours at Nats’oojeh Hospital in Fort St. James until at least October. The hospital serves the local municipality and surrounding Indigenous communities.
Northern Health announced that due to insufficient doctors to maintain round-the-clock emergency coverage while also ensuring daytime primary care and preventing physician burnout, the emergency department will operate on a reduced schedule. Weekday hours will be from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., with the possibility of scaling back to 4 p.m. based on physician availability. Weekend coverage updates will be provided weekly.
The health authority anticipates the reduced emergency department hours to persist until October, with uncertain timing for the return of 24/7 coverage. The closest alternative hospital is approximately 60 kilometers away in Vanderhoof.
District of Fort St. James Mayor Martin Elphee expressed frustration at the ongoing schedule adjustments, expecting the situation to continue for several weeks. Northern Health Vice President Lisa Zetes-Zanatta emphasized that the current reduction is temporary to prevent physician burnout.
Mayor Elphee highlighted that the ER had to close on multiple weekends due to the staffing shortage, with around 75 closures recorded this year. Efforts to recruit more physicians are ongoing, with the community collaborating with healthcare recruiters and Northern Health to address the staffing challenges. Regular updates on the progress of stabilizing emergency care access are planned by Northern Health.
Despite the staffing challenges, the community remains resilient and is actively seeking solutions to restore full hospital services.