SURREY, B.C. — October 4, 2025 — Fraser Health says a temporary overnight closure of the Delta Hospital Emergency Department will take place this weekend as the health authority grapples with ongoing physician staffing challenges that have affected several hospitals across the region.
The service interruption will begin Saturday, October 4 at 6:00 p.m. and continue until Sunday, October 5 at 6:30 a.m. The measure, according to Fraser Health, is intended to ensure that all patients already receiving care in the department can be seen by a physician before the on-site doctor’s shift ends at 1:30 a.m.
“During the service interruption, emergency-trained nurses will continue to be on site and available to support walk-in patients needing basic care, assist with re-direction of care, and/or transfer patients with urgent needs to a neighbouring hospital,” the health authority said in a statement.
Emergency care to be redirected
Fraser Health said it is working with B.C. Emergency Health Services to ensure that individuals requiring higher levels of medical attention are properly transferred to hospitals with open emergency departments. The agency urged residents to call 9-1-1 in any life-threatening situation, such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, or severe bleeding.
“This service interruption impacts the Emergency Department only. All other services at Delta Hospital are available,” the release stated.
While emergency-trained nurses will remain on duty to provide essential assistance, the absence of an on-site physician during the overnight hours means patients with urgent or complex needs will be redirected to nearby hospitals, including those in Surrey, Langley, or Richmond.
System-wide strain on resources
Fraser Health said all other emergency departments in its network remain open and staffed with emergency physicians. However, the organization acknowledged that “high numbers of people seeking care and human resources challenges at many of our hospital emergency departments may lead to longer wait times for patients with non-urgent care concerns.”
The authority emphasized the importance of reserving emergency department capacity for critical situations. Residents with less severe medical needs are encouraged to use alternate care options, including Fraser Health’s Virtual Care line (1-800-314-0999), where registered nurses are available from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., seven days a week. Outside of those hours, individuals can contact 8-1-1 to speak with a health service navigator or nurse. For those in crisis, the Fraser Health Crisis Line (1-877-820-7444) operates 24 hours a day.
Addressing staffing challenges
The health authority acknowledged the impact of ongoing staffing shortages on communities such as Delta and said efforts are underway to stabilize physician coverage.
“We recognize how important consistent access to emergency care is for the Delta community and we are actively working to address physician staffing gaps as they arise to maintain service continuity,” Fraser Health said. “Should further service interruptions become necessary, we will communicate this to the community in advance to support our patients and their families in feeling informed and prepared.”
Fraser Health thanked its staff and partners for their efforts in maintaining patient care under challenging circumstances. “We appreciate your patience and support and thank our staff, medical staff and BC Emergency Health Services staff for their commitment to providing quality care,” the statement concluded.
Regional context and health authority overview
The temporary closure comes amid broader workforce pressures across the province’s health system, with many facilities reporting difficulties recruiting and retaining emergency department physicians. Fraser Health, one of B.C.’s largest regional health authorities, delivers hospital and community-based care to a population of over 1.9 million residents across the Fraser Valley and Metro Vancouver regions.
Fraser Health noted that it operates on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded lands of the Coast Salish and Nlaka’pamux Nations and serves 32 First Nations within the Fraser Salish region. The organization said it remains committed to serving all Indigenous peoples and “honours the unique cultures of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit living within the Fraser Salish region.”
The health authority employs more than 50,000 staff, medical staff and volunteers dedicated to patient care and community health initiatives across its network of hospitals, urgent care centres, and public health programs.
Residents seeking updates about the Delta Hospital Emergency Department or other Fraser Health services are encouraged to monitor official communications channels for future announcements.
For media inquiries, Fraser Health directed journalists to contact the Fraser Health Media Line at 604-613-0794 or by email at [email protected].
