The Port Hardy emergency department will be closed over the weekend due to physician shortage, after it has had overnight closures through the week.
On Friday, the health authority announced the emergency department would close at 7 p.m. until 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 1.Anyone experiencing a medical emergency should call 911, where B.C. Emergency Health Services and Island Health have implemented a plan to bring patients to an appropriate site. If possible, people experiencing medical emergencies should proceed to the Port McNeill Hospital.
If someone is unsure if they are experiencing a medical emergency, you can call 811 to speak with a registered nurse for health information. Island Health is opening the Port Hardy Primary Health Care/A’ekaḵila’as for walk-ins from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 29 and Oct. 30.Island Health has put together a task force to look at solutions for hospitals on the north Island, but in the meantime they are facing frequent closures due to worker shortages.
there is a 40 per cent vacancy rate for staff nurses at the Port Hardy and McNeill sites, and COVID-19 sick calls are making things worse.