Prince George, B.C.- Power  irregularities at the University Hospital of Northern BC  which  forced the cancellation of all elective surgeries today, may have been caused by a faulty  transfer switch.

The switch enables the hospital to move from BC Hydro as a power source, to its own generator.  In a statement issued  this afternoon , Northern Health says  the generator system is tested on a monthly basis “to find issues such as this to avoid them  happening during an emergency situation.”

Northern Health is working on a time line to  replace the switch.

In the meantime,  as  reported earlier,  elective surgeries have been cancelled for the day,  and the latest update from Northern Health is that  it is believed “services will be available  again tomorrow.”

The emergency room is open, but again,  Northern Health  asks that people who do not have an emergency  avoid the hospital today.

Also impacted by the  power irregularities  are the Northern Health websites.   Updates will be available on  facebook  (Northern Health) and on Twitter  (@Northern_Health)