Surrey, B.C. — Fraser Health has announced a temporary service interruption at the Mission Memorial Hospital Emergency Department due to ongoing physician staffing challenges, marking another sign of strain across B.C.’s health-care network.
The temporary closure begins Sunday, November 9 at 5:00 p.m. and will remain in effect until Monday, November 10 at 8:00 a.m. The health authority said the timing is designed to ensure that all patients currently in the emergency department can be seen by a physician before their shift ends at 11:00 p.m.
During the overnight service interruption, emergency-trained nurses will remain on site to assist walk-in patients who require basic care, help redirect individuals to other facilities, and coordinate transfers for those with urgent medical needs.
Coordinated Response Across Fraser Health
Fraser Health said it is working closely with B.C. Emergency Health Services to ensure patients needing a higher level of care are safely directed or transferred to neighbouring hospitals with available emergency services.
“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,” the health authority advised.
Fraser Health emphasized that the temporary closure affects only the Emergency Department. All other hospital services — including inpatient care, laboratory, medical imaging, and community programs — will remain fully operational.
System-Wide Strain on Health Resources
While other emergency departments across Fraser Health remain open with physicians on site, the authority cautioned that hospitals across the region are facing “high numbers of people seeking care” along with broader human resource challenges. These pressures, it said, could result in longer wait times for patients with non-urgent needs.
To help ease the strain, Fraser Health is urging residents with less critical concerns to consider alternative health-care options.
Among the available services are:
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The Fraser Health Crisis Line, available 24/7 at 1-877-820-7444.
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Fraser Health Virtual Care, where residents can speak with a registered nurse from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily at 1-800-314-0999.
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Outside those hours, individuals can call 8-1-1 to speak with a HealthLink BC service navigator or registered nurse.
Commitment to Address Staffing Gaps
In its statement, Fraser Health acknowledged the disruption’s impact on the Mission community and reiterated its commitment to restoring stable emergency services.
“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,” the authority 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.”
The statement also thanked staff, physicians, and emergency health partners for maintaining service continuity amid difficult circumstances. “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 said.
Broader Health-Care Context
Temporary service disruptions such as this one underscore the ongoing physician shortage that has affected hospitals across British Columbia. Smaller and rural communities have been particularly impacted, prompting the province to introduce targeted recruitment incentives and expanded virtual health-care options in recent months.
Fraser Health, which serves more than 1.9 million people across 20 diverse communities, is among the largest health authorities in Canada. The organization said it continues to collaborate with local medical staff and provincial partners to stabilize service delivery while maintaining patient safety.
About Fraser Health
Fraser Health acknowledged that it provides care on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the Coast Salish and Nlaka’pamux Nations, home to 32 First Nations within the Fraser Salish region.
“Fraser Health is dedicated to serving all Indigenous peoples, and honours the unique cultures of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit living within the Fraser Salish region,” the statement said.
The authority employs over 50,000 staff, medical professionals, and volunteers across hospital and community-based services dedicated to serving patients, families, and communities throughout the Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland.
