Mission Memorial Hospital will temporarily scale back the operating hours of its Emergency Department starting next week, a move health officials say is necessary to ensure patient safety and service reliability amid ongoing staffing challenges affecting hospitals across Canada.
Beginning Monday, Dec. 29, the Emergency Department at the Mission facility will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The adjusted schedule is expected to remain in place until Tuesday, Jan. 6, with full 24/7 emergency coverage anticipated to resume at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 7, according to Fraser Health.
Health authority officials emphasized that the change is temporary and driven by physician recruitment challenges rather than a reduction in commitment to emergency care in the community. Fraser Health said it continues to actively recruit physicians to Mission Memorial Hospital and is working to stabilize staffing levels over the longer term.
“This temporary change in hours reflects systemic pressures being experienced across Canada and is intended to support the safe, sustainable delivery of emergency services while active recruitment activities continue,” the health authority said in a statement.
By aligning defined and consistent hours with available staffing, Fraser Health says it can deliver care that is safe and predictable, while also helping patients and families make informed decisions about where and when to seek care. Officials added that every effort is being made to avoid further service adjustments, and that the community will be notified in advance if additional changes become necessary.
Dr. Paul Theron, site medical director at Mission Memorial Hospital, said predictable access to emergency services is a key concern for both clinicians and residents.
“Knowing that emergency services are reliably available is important for us and our community,” Theron said. “These temporary changes enable consistent and plannable hours and allow us to align services with available staffing and maintain patient safety. During this time, we remain committed to partnering with the Ministry of Health to stabilize longer-term staffing.”
While the Emergency Department will close overnight during the temporary period, Fraser Health stressed that emergency care remains accessible to Mission residents and those in surrounding communities at all times. Outside of operating hours, people experiencing a medical emergency are advised to call 9-1-1. Paramedics will assess patients and transport them to the most appropriate emergency department based on clinical needs and capacity.
For non-life-threatening issues, residents are encouraged to use recently expanded Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC) services available in the community. Fraser Health said these centres are designed to help relieve pressure on hospital emergency departments by treating urgent but non-emergency conditions.
In addition, the hospital will continue to have emergency-trained nurses on site after 6 p.m. to assist walk-in patients requiring basic care, help redirect patients to appropriate services, and facilitate transfers to neighbouring hospitals for those with urgent needs.
Local officials acknowledged community concerns about reduced emergency access but expressed support for the interim measures.
“We know that the people of Mission are concerned about the availability of emergency services at MMH,” said Mission Mayor Paul Horn. “We are grateful to Fraser Health for the extraordinary creativity they’re bringing to address these temporary pressures and we’re looking forward to the addition of more healthcare staff in the new year to ensure that our emergency ward is a reliable service for everyone.”
Despite the temporary service adjustment, Fraser Health confirmed that planned expansion and renovation work at the Emergency Department will continue during this period. The upgrades are aimed at improving care spaces, workflow efficiency, and the overall patient experience.
Health officials noted that modernized facilities play a critical role in attracting and retaining physicians and other health-care professionals, an important consideration as Mission Memorial Hospital works to strengthen emergency services over the long term.
Fraser Health said it remains focused on balancing immediate patient safety with long-term system stability, while continuing to communicate openly with the Mission community as staffing and service levels evolve.
