Mission Memorial Hospital to Temporarily Close Overnight Due to Doctor Shortage
In response to a shortage of available doctors, the emergency department at Mission Memorial Hospital will be closing overnight on Friday, with plans to reopen on Saturday at 8 a.m. Fraser Health has announced that the closure will start at 5 p.m. to ensure that all current patients receive necessary care before the physicians end their shifts at 11:00 p.m.
Despite the temporary closure of the emergency room, emergency-trained nurses will remain on-site to assist walk-in patients in need of basic care, redirect care when necessary, and facilitate the transfer of patients with urgent needs to nearby hospitals.
Fraser Health is working to ensure that patients with high needs are directed to alternative hospitals during this period. In case of life-threatening emergencies, individuals are advised to call 911 immediately for transportation to the nearest suitable facility.
Nicki Ropp, director of mental health and wellness with Ambulance Paramedics, expressed concerns about the closure coinciding with Halloween, a night that typically sees increased call volumes. BC EHS has implemented additional resources to support communities in the Lower Mainland and Vancouver during this time.
Ambulances and paramedics that would typically go to Mission Memorial Hospital will be diverted to either Abbotsford Regional Hospital or Ridge Meadows Hospital. This closure is not the first experienced by the hospital this year, with similar interruptions occurring in February, March, and August.
Looking ahead, Mission’s emergency department is set to undergo an $18-million renovation, with construction expected to begin in early 2026 and conclude in spring 2027. The renovated Emergency Department will be expanded by 35%, providing a total of 41 care spaces.