Stuart Lake Hospital

Fort St James, BC · Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year

Open 24/7

This emergency department is open around the clock.

Current ER Wait
Unknown Unknown
🏥 24/7 Emergency
📍 Fort St James

Last updated: recently · View all British Columbia hospitals →

Nearby Alternatives

Patients requiring services beyond the scope of a rural community hospital may be referred to a larger facility in Prince George, approximately 160 km to the south.

Whistler Health Care Centre

Whistler · 488 km away

1h 6m

Powell River General Hospital

Powell River · 511 km away

1h 11m

Squamish General Hospital

Squamish · 533 km away

3h 43m

About Stuart Lake Hospital

Nats'oojeh Hospital and Health Centre — whose name means 'everyone healing' in the Dakelh language — serves Fort St. James and a surrounding rural population of approximately 300,000 people, including multiple First Nations communities across the region. The emergency department operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, offering a trauma bay, two treatment rooms, an ambulance bay, on-site laboratory, and diagnostic imaging to handle urgent and emergent care in this rural Northern BC community. As the primary hospital facility for the region, it is the appropriate destination for anyone experiencing a medical emergency within the Fort St. James area.

Services & Specialties

24/7 Emergency Department Trauma bay with ambulance bay Diagnostic imaging (X-ray) Expanded on-site laboratory services Inpatient acute care (9 beds) Long-term care (18 beds) Primary care clinic Visiting specialist services Mental health and addictions services Substance-use supports Palliative care Home and community care Public health services

Amenities

Parking & Transit

Nats'oojeh Hospital and Health Centre offers 85 free surface parking stalls, a significant increase over the previous facility. Visitor parking is located near the main entrance. Parking appears to be free of charge, consistent with typical Northern Health rural facilities.

Fort St. James is a rural community located approximately 160 km north of Prince George and 65 km north of Vanderhoof. No formal public transit routes serve the hospital. Access by personal vehicle or patient transport is the primary means of reaching the facility.

Best Times to Visit

🟢 Quieter times

No historical wait time data is available for this facility. Generally, rural emergency departments in BC tend to be quieter during mid-morning on weekdays. For non-life-threatening concerns, calling HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 first can help you determine whether an ER visit is necessary.

🔴 Busier times

No historical wait time data is available for this facility. Like most emergency departments, evenings, weekends, and holidays may see higher patient volumes. Avoid driving to the ER in poor winter road conditions unless it is a true emergency — call 9-1-1 if needed.

Tips Before You Go

What to Bring

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Nats'oojeh Hospital and Health Centre?
Nats'oojeh Hospital and Health Centre is the regional hospital serving Fort St. James and the surrounding Northern BC communities. Its name means 'everyone healing' in the Dakelh language, chosen in collaboration with Elders from the Nak'azdli, Binche, Tl'azt'en, Yekooche, and Takla First Nations. The facility is operated by Northern Health and consolidates emergency care, acute inpatient care, long-term care, primary care, mental health services, laboratory, and diagnostic imaging under one roof.
Is the emergency department at Nats'oojeh Hospital open 24/7?
Yes. The emergency department at Nats'oojeh Hospital and Health Centre is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year. It accepts both walk-in patients and ambulance arrivals.
Does Nats'oojeh Hospital have a trauma centre?
The emergency department includes a dedicated trauma bay and ambulance bay, which allows staff to manage trauma cases on arrival. However, Nats'oojeh is a rural community hospital and does not hold a formal trauma centre designation. Patients requiring specialized trauma, cardiac, stroke, or pediatric services may need to be transferred to a larger regional centre such as University Hospital of Northern BC in Prince George.
Is parking free at Nats'oojeh Hospital?
Yes. The hospital offers 85 surface parking stalls at no charge, consistent with Northern Health's rural facilities. Visitor parking is conveniently located near the main entrance at 606 Stuart Dr E, Fort St. James.
Does the hospital provide culturally safe care for First Nations patients?
Yes. Nats'oojeh Hospital was designed in partnership with local First Nations communities and Elders. The facility features multilingual wayfinding in English, Dakelh, and Carrier syllabics, a Spiritual Space, a Gathering Space, and outdoor healing areas with culturally significant plantings. Mental health, addictions, and community health services are also available on-site to support the diverse population the hospital serves.
What should I do if I'm not sure whether I need to go to the emergency department?
Call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 before visiting. Registered nurses are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and can assess your symptoms and advise whether you need emergency care, can wait for a primary care appointment, or can manage your situation at home. For life-threatening emergencies, always call 9-1-1 immediately.

About ER Wait Times

Emergency departments use triage — patients with more serious conditions are seen first, regardless of arrival time.

Wait times are estimates based on British Columbia health data using historical volumes, current patient counts, and staffing. Actual wait times may vary.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.

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