Terrace’s ongoing doctor shortage intensified at Mills Memorial Hospital on July 10, with no doctor available for work from 12 p.m. until 8 a.m. July 11.
“Emergent and/or urgent patients will receive care,” Northern Health wrote in a statement. “Non-emergent and/or non-urgent presentations will be diverted to another hospital or invited to return in the morning.”
The authority called the situation unavoidable and unexpected.
People who aren’t sure if they should visit the ER or who need health advice are being asked to call HealthLink BC (8-1-1), or visit HealthLink BC’s website for non-emergency health information from nurses, dietitians and pharmacists 24/7.
Residents can also called the Northern Health Virtual Clinic at 1-844-645-7811 between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily.
For those who need life-threatening emergency care — conditions that include chest pains, difficulty breathing, or severe bleeding — should always call 9-1-1 and they’ll be taken to what Northern Health calls the “nearest available and appropriate facility.”