Mission Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Department has returned to full 24-hour, seven-days-a-week operations, marking a key step in restoring consistent access to urgent care for residents of Mission and surrounding communities.
Effective 8:00 a.m. today, the Fraser Health Authority confirmed that round-the-clock emergency coverage has resumed at the hospital following a period of reduced hours linked to physician staffing challenges. The restoration of full service is intended to improve continuity of care and reduce pressure on neighbouring emergency departments across the Fraser Valley.
Emergency departments play a critical role in regional health systems, particularly in fast-growing communities such as Mission, where demand for urgent and acute care continues to rise. Fraser Health emphasized that while emergency services are fully operational, residents are encouraged to consider appropriate non-emergency care options to help ensure emergency departments remain available for patients requiring immediate, life-saving treatment.
For individuals with non-urgent health concerns, Fraser Health is directing patients to its Virtual Care services. Residents can call Fraser Health Virtual Care at 1-800-314-0999 between 10:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., seven days a week, to speak with a registered nurse. Outside of those hours, patients can access provincial support by calling 8-1-1 to connect with a health service navigator or a registered nurse for medical advice and guidance.
Mental health support remains available around the clock through the Fraser Health Crisis Line, which operates 24/7 at 1-877-820-7444. Health officials noted that these services are designed to provide timely care while easing unnecessary strain on hospital emergency departments.
The return to full emergency department operations follows ongoing collaboration between Fraser Health and the hospital’s physician group. The health authority acknowledged the importance of reliable emergency care access for the Mission community and confirmed it continues to actively address physician staffing gaps as they arise. Maintaining adequate staffing levels remains a key operational focus to ensure service continuity and avoid future disruptions.
Health system leaders across British Columbia have faced persistent workforce challenges in recent years, including physician shortages, burnout and increased patient volumes. Smaller and mid-sized hospitals, such as Mission Memorial, have been particularly vulnerable to temporary service reductions when staffing gaps occur. Fraser Health said it is committed to monitoring staffing levels closely and responding quickly to emerging pressures to maintain stable emergency services.
The health authority also underscored its commitment to transparent and ongoing communication with the community. Officials said residents will continue to receive updates as needed while Fraser Health supports patients and their families through hospital-based and community care services.
Fraser Health expressed appreciation for the patience and understanding shown by the Mission community during periods of reduced service. The authority also thanked hospital staff, medical staff and B.C. Emergency Health Services for their continued commitment to providing quality patient care during challenging circumstances.
Mission Memorial Hospital operates within Fraser Health, one of British Columbia’s largest regional health authorities. Fraser Health provides services on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the Coast Salish and Nlaka’pamux Nations and serves a region that is home to 32 First Nations within the Fraser Salish area.
The authority has stated that it is dedicated to serving all Indigenous people and honours the unique cultures of First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities throughout the region. This commitment is reflected across both hospital-based and community health services.
Fraser Health delivers care through a workforce of more than 50,000 staff, medical professionals and volunteers who support patients, families and communities across the region. The restoration of full emergency department hours at Mission Memorial Hospital represents a significant operational milestone within that broader system, reinforcing the health authority’s focus on access, reliability and continuity of care as population growth and service demands continue to increase across the Fraser Valley.
