A community in Northern British Columbia is experiencing a decrease in access to emergency medical care due to a shortage of physicians, prompting Northern Health to reduce operating hours at Nats’oojeh Hospital until at least October. Nats’oojeh Hospital and Health Centre in Fort St. James caters to the local municipality and various remote Indigenous communities nearby.
Northern Health announced that the hospital lacks sufficient doctors to sustain round-the-clock emergency services while also ensuring daytime primary care and preventing physician exhaustion. Consequently, the emergency department will temporarily operate with limited hours as the health authority works on physician recruitment and locum support.
Weekdays will see the emergency department open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., potentially adjusting to 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. based on doctor availability. Weekend coverage details will be provided on a weekly basis. Northern Health anticipates the reduced emergency department hours to persist until at least October, with the timeline for returning to 24/7 coverage remaining uncertain.
The nearest alternative hospital is approximately 60 kilometers away in Vanderhoof. District of Fort St. James Mayor Martin Elphee expressed frustration over the ongoing reduced schedule, which is expected to last for weeks until October as per information provided.
Lisa Zetes-Zanatta, Northern Health’s vice president of clinical operations, emphasized that the current reduction is temporary and aims to prevent further burnout among the remaining community physicians. The mayor highlighted instances of weekend ER closures due to the shortage, with around 75 closures reported this year, deeming the situation unacceptable.
While after-hours care is available through BCEHS by dialing 911, Mayor Elphee noted the considerable distance to other emergency facilities in Vanderhoof or Prince George during critical situations. Efforts are ongoing to recruit more physicians to address the staffing gaps in Fort St. James, with the community collaborating with Northern Health on various initiatives, including promoting local amenities to attract healthcare professionals.
Despite the challenges, the community remains resilient and optimistic about resolving the physician shortage to reinstate full hospital services. Northern Health plans to provide regular updates on their progress in stabilizing and enhancing emergency care access in Fort St. James.