Stuart Lake Hospital

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.

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

• Healing garden with culturally and medicinally significant landscaping
• Spiritual Space and Gathering Space
• Family kitchen
• Common areas for dining and recreation
• Multilingual wayfinding signage (English, Dakelh, and Carrier syllabics)
• Outdoor areas designed with Indigenous Elders and plant experts

Other Care Options

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Tips Before You Go

• Call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 before visiting if you are unsure whether your condition requires emergency care — registered nurses are available 24/7 to advise you.
• If you are travelling from a remote community or reserve, plan your route in advance — the hospital is at 606 Stuart Dr E, Fort St. James, and road conditions in Northern BC can change seasonally.
• The hospital serves patients from many First Nations communities; culturally safe care and multilingual signage in Dakelh and Carrier syllabics are available throughout the facility.
• For life-threatening emergencies such as chest pain, stroke symptoms, difficulty breathing, or serious injury, call 9-1-1 immediately rather than driving to the hospital.
• The ER accepts both walk-in patients and ambulance arrivals — if your condition is non-urgent, arriving earlier in the morning on weekdays may help you avoid peak periods.

What to Bring

• BC Services Card or provincial health card
• Government-issued photo ID
• List of current medications, including dosages
• List of known allergies
• BC First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) coverage card, if applicable
• Any relevant medical records, referral letters, or specialist notes
• Warm clothing or a blanket — waiting areas can be cool
• Snacks and water for a potentially extended wait

Frequently Asked Questions

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. Actual wait times may vary.

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