PRINCE GEORGE — Amidst persistent staffing shortages and rural service gaps, Northern Health has launched a new real-time digital tool to inform residents across the North Coast and Interior exactly which emergency departments (ED) are open for care.
The “Emergency Department Status” webpage, launched on Thursday, January 22, 2026, provides a live map and list showing the operational status of hospitals from Prince Rupert to Valemount. The move follows a multi-year struggle with “diversions”—periods where hospitals must close their ER doors due to a lack of available doctors or nurses.
Focusing on Status, Not Wait Times
While many health authorities in the Lower Mainland focus on “wait-time” trackers, Northern Health officials say that model doesn’t work for the North.
“Given the geographic realities of a region as large as Northern Health, where hospital facilities are relatively distant from one another, current emergency department status is the key information,” said Lisa Zetes-Zanatta, Vice-President of Clinical Operations.
In the Skeena region, for example, a resident in Kitwanga needs to know instantly if they should head to Mills Memorial in Terrace or Wrinch Memorial in Hazelton. If one is closed, that decision can be life-altering given the distances involved.
Stabilization Task Force Reports Gains
The launch of the tool is a key deliverable of the Emergency Department Stabilization Task Force, which was established in 2024.
According to Health Minister Josie Osborne, the task force’s efforts are beginning to pay off. Northern Health reported a 35 percent decrease in service interruptions during the first seven months of 2025 compared to the previous year. However, closures remain a reality, and the new portal is designed to provide “technical clarity” to patients before they hit the road.
“The most important thing for someone facing a medical emergency is knowing where to go for care,” Osborne said.
Navigating Non-Emergencies
The portal doesn’t just list closures; it actively directs patients with non-life-threatening issues to alternative care. This includes:
- Urgent and Primary Care Centres (UPCC)
- Virtual Care Services (available 24/7 in B.C.)
- Community-based resources and local pharmacies.
Officials emphasize that for life-threatening emergencies, residents should always call 9-1-1. Dispatchers and paramedics are continuously updated on ER statuses and will automatically transport patients to the nearest available and appropriate facility.
Residents can access the tracker at: northernhealth.ca/emergency-department-status
