Wrinch Memorial Hospital
Wrinch Memorial Hospital, a fully accredited, acute care facility has a unique and proud history in the Hazeltons. Operating under United Church Health Services and affiliated with Northern Health, Wrinch Memorial Hospital has a diversity of services under its roof, including:
- Doctors Clinic and 24-7 Emergency Room
- Pharmacy, Home and Community Care
- Lab, Ultrasound and X-ray services
- Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
- Complex Care
- Diabetes education
- Visiting specialists
The operational organization of the hospital includes nine complex care beds, one respite bed, ten acute care beds, and one provincially designated secure psychiatric observation room. As the largest employer in the area, Wrinch Memorial Hospital supports a team of 70 well-trained and dedicated staff that provide culturally sensitive and best practice health care to the communities.
Located in Northern British Columbia, 1163 km north of Vancouver and 259 km west of Prince Rupert, Wrinch Memorial Hospital serves numerous communities totaling a population of 7,000, including the District of New Hazelton, Village of Hazelton, South Hazelton, Two Mile, Kispiox Valley, Gitanmaax, Hagwilget, Glen Vowell, Kispiox, Gitwangak, Gitseguekla, and Gitanyow.
Teaching has a time-honored tradition at Hazelton. Medical and nursing students along with Family Practice Residents rotate regularly through the facility. Students have their own workspace, an up-to-date library on site, along with teaching files for topics such as radiology and dermatology.
Other Health and Community Care Services
Close collaboration exists between medical staff, hospital and the area’s three public health services - Public Health, Gitxsan Health, and Wet’suwet’en Health services, as well as home and community care, hospital auxiliary, hospice society, faith organizations and other community services such as Mental Health and Addictions and Community Health Representatives (CHR).
Hazelton Community
The Hazeltons (there are three - Hazelton, New Hazelton and South Hazelton) are located 290 km (180 miles) east of Prince Rupert and 60 km (45 miles) west of Smithers on the Yellowhead Highway 16. Hazelton, also known as ‘Old Hazelton’ is located on the banks of the Skeena River about 7 km off Highway 16. Adjacent to the town, where the Bulkley and Skeena Rivers meet, is the site of the world famous ‘Ksan Historical Village and Museum.
The District of New Hazelton is located in Northwest British Columbia and is situated between the Bulkley River and the stunning Roche De Boule Mountain Range. The area’s natural beauty and pristine wilderness has made New Hazelton a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts.
‘Ksan Historical Village and Museum (‘Ksan) is located near the ancient village of Gitanmaax, at the confluence of the Bulkley and Skeena Rivers in the community of Hazelton, British Columbia. For centuries and possibly millennia, Git
xsan’s have maintained communities at important canyons and junctions on the Skeena River. This location was an important fishing site and transportation hub.
The entire area is becoming increasingly popular with outdoor enthusiasts; the rivers offer excellent fishing, canoeing and rafting, and on more solid ground, there is ample opportunity for hiking, camping, wildlife viewing and trail rides.