Fraser Health Announces Temporary Interruption to Emergency Services
SURREY, B.C. — Fraser Health has announced a temporary overnight interruption to emergency services at Mission Memorial Hospital, citing ongoing physician staffing challenges affecting the facility’s emergency department.
The interruption began Sunday, June 14 at 5:00 p.m. and is scheduled to continue until Monday, June 15 at 8:00 a.m. Health officials said the early start time was implemented to ensure patients already receiving treatment in the emergency department could be seen by a physician before the end of scheduled shifts at 11:00 p.m.
The temporary closure affects only the hospital’s emergency department. Fraser Health confirmed that all other hospital services at Mission Memorial Hospital remain operational.
During the interruption, emergency-trained nurses will remain on site to provide basic care for walk-in patients, help redirect individuals to appropriate care options and coordinate transfers for patients requiring urgent treatment at neighbouring hospitals.
Fraser Health said it is working closely with B.C. Emergency Health Services to manage patient flow and ensure those needing higher levels of care are transported to suitable emergency facilities.
Anyone experiencing a life-threatening emergency has been urged to call 9-1-1 immediately.
“Anyone with a life-threatening emergency, such as chest pain, difficulty breathing or severe bleeding, should call 9-1-1 immediately and will be transported to the nearest available and appropriate facility,” Fraser Health said in its statement.
Regional Emergency Departments Remain Open Amid System Pressures
While emergency services at Mission Memorial Hospital are temporarily unavailable, Fraser Health noted that all other emergency departments within the health authority remain open and staffed by emergency physicians.
However, officials acknowledged that hospitals across the region continue to experience significant operational pressures tied to high patient volumes and broader staffing shortages.
“All other Fraser Health Emergency Departments remain open and have emergency physicians on site; however, 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 health authority stated.
The latest disruption highlights continuing concerns surrounding staffing shortages in British Columbia’s health-care system, particularly in emergency medicine and rural or smaller urban hospitals.
Mission Memorial Hospital has faced intermittent service disruptions in recent years, reflecting broader recruitment and retention challenges across the province’s health-care network.
Residents Encouraged to Use Non-Emergency Care Options
Fraser Health is encouraging residents in Mission and surrounding communities to use alternative care options for non-urgent medical needs during the temporary interruption.
Patients can contact Fraser Health Virtual Care by phone between 10:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. daily to speak with a registered nurse. Outside those hours, residents are advised to call 8-1-1 to connect with a health service navigator or registered nurse.
The health authority also directed patients with urgent but non-life-threatening conditions to the Mission Urgent and Primary Care Centre, which operates daily from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., including statutory holidays.
According to Fraser Health, the centre can provide treatment for issues including fevers, burns, headaches, earaches, sprains and minor cuts requiring stitches.
Mental health support services also remain available through the Fraser Health Crisis Line, which operates 24 hours a day.
Health Authority Working to Prevent Further Disruptions
Fraser Health acknowledged the impact temporary emergency department interruptions can have on local residents and said recruitment efforts remain ongoing to address staffing shortages.
“We recognize how important consistent access to emergency care is for the Mission community and we are actively working to address physician staffing gaps as they arise to maintain service continuity,” Fraser Health said.
The health authority added that efforts are continuing to recruit additional staff and reduce the likelihood of future interruptions.
“We are continuing to make every effort to recruit more staff and prevent further service interruptions. 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 also thanked hospital workers, medical staff and emergency responders for maintaining services during the disruption.
“We appreciate your patience and support and thank our staff, medical staff and B.C. Emergency Health Services staff for their commitment to providing quality care.”
Fraser Health serves communities across British Columbia’s Fraser Salish region and provides hospital and community-based care through a workforce of more than 50,000 staff, medical professionals and volunteers. The health authority also acknowledged that it operates on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the Coast Salish and Nlaka’pamux Nations and serves 32 First Nations communities across the region.