Health care

Temporary gap in physician coverage at St. John Hospital in Vanderhoof

Jul 20, 2023 | 4:21 PM

VANDERHOOF — Northern Health says that Emergency Services at St. John Hospital in Vanderhoof will be interrupted between 8 p.m. Thursday July 20 until 8 a.m. Friday July 21 due to an unavoidable gap in physician coverage.

“If you have an emergency: People in Vanderhoof and area who need life-threatening emergency care (i.e. chest pains, difficulty breathing, or severe bleeding) should call 9- 1-1 for transport to the nearest available and appropriate facility. Any time services are interrupted, our partners in patient transfer and local health services are notified and signage will be in place at the hospital informing patients to call 9-1-1 for transport,” says Northern Health.

For non-urgent care needs, patients can also call the Northern Health clinic at 1-844-645-7811 to access a family doctor or nurse practitioner: https://www.northernhealth.ca/locations/medical-clinics/virtual-clinic.

Northern BC residents can also now book an appointment to see a pharmacist for 21 minor ailments and prescription contraceptives.

Emergency Department services at St. John Hospital are expected to resume at 8:00 am Friday, July 21. Patients who aren’t sure whether their condition would warrant an emergency room visit, or who need health advice can call HealthLink BC (8-1-1), or visit www.HealthLinkBC.ca for non-emergency health information from nurses, dietitians, and pharmacists 24 hours a day, seven days per week.