Another Emergency Room Closure for Prince Rupert, as lack of physician coverage issue arises again

For the second weekend in a row, residents of Prince Rupert have been put on notice about a  closure for the Prince Rupert Regional Hospital Emergency Department, this latest one, effective at midnight Saturday to 8 AM Sunday.

The advisory was relayed late Saturday afternoon through the Northern Health social media stream.

As it was one week ago, an inability to arrange for physician coverage is the reason for the eight hour closure.

Much as the situation of last Friday, the most important piece of advice for residents is that of the alternative options for the closure period, for those who may be facing life threatening situations.

"If you have an emergency: People in Prince Rupert 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."

More notes related to Health Care in the Northwest can be reviewed from our archive page.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.