The Lakes District Hospital and Health Centre's emergency department is closed today, Northern Health announced in a Facebook post.
The emergency department will be closed from 8 a.m. Aug. 20 until 8 a.m Aug. 21, the Facebook post said, as a result of a staff shortage. Northern Health has said previously that a shortage of doctors is the cause of repeated closures of the emergency department in 亚洲天堂 Lake.
Two new doctors started practising in 亚洲天堂 Lake at the start of April, but that is still not enough emergency-trained physicians, Northern Health said in a previous statement. The emergency department requires one physician and one nurse to be on shift in order to open its doors.
Locals have voiced their concerns, circulating a 650-signature petition that made its way to Josie Osborn, B.C's health minister. Neighbouring communities, such as Houston, that depend on the Lakes District Hospital for emergency department services, have also expressed concern.
The Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako board of directors recently passed a motion to request a meeting with Northern Health on the matter of healthcare service delivery issues.
If someone experiences a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 for transport to the nearest emergency facility, Northern Health said in the notice regarding the closure.
