A community in Northern British Columbia is experiencing limited access to emergency healthcare due to a shortage of physicians, leading Northern Health to reduce operating hours at Nats’oojeh Hospital until at least October. The hospital, located in Fort St. James, serves the local municipality and several Indigenous communities in the area.
Northern Health announced that due to insufficient doctors to maintain 24/7 emergency coverage while ensuring daytime primary care and preventing physician burnout, the emergency department will operate on a reduced schedule temporarily. Weekday hours will be from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., potentially shifting to 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. based on physician availability. Weekend coverage updates will be provided weekly, with the expectation of reduced hours until at least October and uncertainty regarding the return to 24/7 coverage.
Fort St. James Mayor Martin Elphee acknowledged the ongoing reduced schedule, expressing frustration at the situation expected to persist for several weeks. Northern Health’s Vice President of Clinical Operations, Lisa Zetes-Zanatta, emphasized that the reduction is temporary to enable the remaining physicians to manage their workload effectively without experiencing burnout.
The mayor highlighted instances of emergency room closures due to the physician shortage, indicating dissatisfaction with the frequency of closures affecting the community’s access to essential services. Efforts to recruit more physicians are underway, with the expectation of new hires starting as early as September. Collaboration between community leaders, local First Nations, and healthcare recruiters aims to address the staffing challenges and improve healthcare access in the region.
Despite the challenges posed by the physician shortage, the community remains resilient and hopeful for a return to normal service levels at Nats’oojeh Hospital. Regular updates on the progress of efforts to enhance emergency care access in Fort St. James will be provided by Northern Health, with the goal of reinstating 24/7 coverage once staffing stability is achieved.