A temporary overnight interruption of emergency department services at Mission Memorial Hospital is set to take place this weekend, underscoring the ongoing physician staffing challenges facing hospitals across British Columbia and the broader Fraser Valley region.
Fraser Health said the emergency department at Mission Memorial Hospital will be unavailable to new emergency patients beginning Sunday, February 8 at 5:00 p.m., with services scheduled to resume at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, February 9. The interruption applies only to the emergency department and does not affect other hospital services.
The health authority said the early evening start time is designed to ensure continuity of care for patients already present in the emergency department. Physicians on shift will continue to see existing patients until the end of their scheduled shifts at 11:00 p.m., after which no emergency physicians will be on site until the department reopens the following morning.
During the temporary closure, emergency-trained nurses will remain at the hospital to provide limited support. According to Fraser Health, nursing staff will be available to assist walk-in patients with basic care needs, help redirect patients to appropriate care options, and facilitate transfers for patients requiring urgent medical attention.
Fraser Health said it is working closely with B.C. Emergency Health Services to manage patient flow during the interruption and ensure individuals needing higher levels of care are directed or transported to neighbouring hospital emergency departments. Patients experiencing life-threatening conditions are advised not to delay care.
“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 said.
While the interruption is limited in duration, it comes amid broader system-wide pressures. Fraser Health noted that although all other emergency departments in its network remain open and staffed by emergency physicians, high patient volumes and ongoing human resource challenges across the region may contribute to longer wait times, particularly for patients with non-urgent concerns.
To help preserve emergency department capacity for critical cases, Fraser Health encouraged residents to consider alternative care options when appropriate. People experiencing a mental health crisis can contact the Fraser Health Crisis Line 24 hours a day at 1-877-820-7444. For other non-urgent health concerns, 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 those hours, 8-1-1 remains available to connect callers with a health service navigator or registered nurse.
The health authority acknowledged the impact that even short-term emergency department closures can have on local communities, particularly in smaller or semi-rural areas such as Mission, where hospital access is a critical component of regional infrastructure.
“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 organization added that if further service interruptions become necessary, it will provide advance notice to help residents plan accordingly.
Fraser Health also expressed appreciation for frontline workers managing 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,” the statement said.
The temporary closure highlights broader workforce challenges facing Canada’s health-care system, particularly the difficulty of maintaining physician coverage in emergency departments during periods of high demand and limited staffing availability. Health authorities across the country have faced similar short-term service adjustments in recent years as they work to balance patient needs with workforce sustainability.
Fraser Health serves communities across the Fraser Salish region and delivers hospital and community-based services on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the Coast Salish and Nlaka’pamux Nations. The organization employs more than 50,000 staff, medical professionals and volunteers and provides care to diverse urban, suburban and rural populations throughout the region.
