INFORMATION BULLETIN UPDATE - Northern Health facilities receiving Williams Lake evacuees

Northern Health continues to support BC wildfire evacuations in the Interior Health region.

GR Baker Memorial Hospital in Quesnel and the University Hospital of Northern BC in Prince George have received evacuated patients from Cariboo Memorial Hospital in Williams Lake. As well, more than 100 evacuated residential care and assisted living clients from Williams Lake are being received at various Prince George care facilities.

Northern Health is also working on developing remote clinics and services at sites such as the College of New Caledonia and University of Northern BC, where evacuees are staying, to attend to any emergent medical needs or concerns they may have.

In light of the increases in patient numbers, Northern Health is asking the public for assistance by using health care resources appropriately, particularly emergency department resources. The public is encouraged to use other community health services for non-immediate health-care needs, including their general practitioner or walk-in clinics.

Northern Health is also encouraging staff who are able to pick up extra shifts to monitor and respond to schedule notifications.

Northern Health is closely monitoring the wildfire situation across the region, and encourages residents to do the same through local and provincial agencies, such as Regional District Emergency Operations Centres, Emergency Info BC, and local media outlets.

Families looking for loved ones evacuated from Williams Lake health care facilities should call the Interior Health call line for information, at 1-877-442-2001.