Lack of physicians is cause of ongoing closures: Northern Health

The emergency department at Lakes District Hospital is closed today.

Doors will be shut from 8 a.m. today Sept. 19 until 8 a.m. tomorrow, Sept. 20 according to a bulletin posted to Facebook by Northern Health. The closure is due to a staff shortage and Northern Health has stated previously that the staff shortages in Burns Lake are due to a lack of physicians in the area.

Two new doctors started practising in Burns 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.

This is a familiar occurrence to many locals, who have faced multiple closures of the emergency room each month since the start of 2025 alone. Locals have voiced their concerns, circulating a 650-signature petition that made its way to Josie Osborn, B.C's health minister.

Local governments such at the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako and the Village of Burns Lake have been actively working to address the issue, with both planning to have meetings with Provincial health officials at the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) convention from Sept. 22 to 26.

Neighbouring communities, such as Houston, that depend on the Lakes District Hospital for emergency department services, have also expressed concern.

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.