Why is the Port Hardy Hospital ER closing overnight?

The emergency room at Port Hardy Hospital closes nightly from 5 p.m. due to a severe staffing shortage.

What happens to patients needing emergency care when the Port Hardy ER is closed?

Patients must travel 45 kilometers to the Port McNeill hospital, which is already facing capacity issues.

What are the concerns of Indigenous leaders regarding the Port Hardy ER closures?

Indigenous leaders are linking the closures to increased deaths from drug poisoning and alcohol, and worsening outcomes for those with complex health issues.

Home / Health / Port Hardy ER Closure Sparks Outrage: Health Crisis on Vancouver Island

Port Hardy ER Closure Sparks Outrage: Health Crisis on Vancouver Island

29 Nov

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Summary

Port Hardy Hospital's ER closes nightly due to staffing shortages.
Patients face dangerous 45-km drives to overloaded Port McNeill ER.
Indigenous leaders cite intergenerational trauma and increased deaths.

Dozens gathered in Port Hardy, B.C., to protest the nightly closure of their hospital's emergency room, which has been in effect since January 2023 due to persistent staffing shortages. This decision compels patients needing emergency care to travel 45 kilometers to Port McNeill, a journey that is perilous, especially in winter. Local officials and Indigenous leaders are raising serious concerns about the impact on health outcomes.

Hereditary Chief David Mungo Knox of the Kwakiutl First Nation emphasized the worsening health crisis, exacerbated by addiction and suicide, and called for improved care on the north island. The Gwa'Sala-Nakwaxda'xw Nations declared a state of emergency in March 2024 following the deaths of 11 members, many attributed to drug poisoning and alcohol. These communities are disproportionately affected by complex health conditions requiring urgent attention.

Island Health acknowledges difficulties in recruiting nurses and technologists despite attracting physicians, stating recruitment remains a priority. Investments have introduced a mobile CT scanner and enhanced mental health services. However, the ongoing ER closures highlight a critical gap in essential healthcare services for the northern Vancouver Island region.

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