Mission Memorial Hospital in British Columbia will be implementing new temporary operating hours for its emergency department due to a shortage of healthcare workers in the province. Starting next week, the ER will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, with the last closure expected to end by Jan. 7.
The Fraser Health Authority has decided on this change to ensure the community has predictable access to care, especially with limited available physicians. Dr. Ralph Belle, Vice President of Medicine at Mission Memorial, explained that the hospital, like many others, relies on a small team of full-time emergency physicians and locum doctors who fill in as needed across the province.
Dr. Belle emphasized the importance of filling shifts to avoid gaps in the healthcare system, noting that services are always accessible to Mission-area residents, even if not at the hospital after 6 p.m. Other healthcare options include 911 services, urgent primary care centers, and neighboring hospitals like Abbotsford Regional and Ridge Meadows, which operate 24/7.
Fraser Health is actively recruiting to prevent future service disruptions, with plans for an $18-million renovation of Mission Memorial Hospital’s ER in 2026 to attract more medical professionals. Despite the temporary closures, Mayor Paul Horn expressed gratitude for the health authority’s efforts to address the situation creatively and assured the community of upcoming staff additions in the new year.
Dr. Belle confirmed the arrival of a new physician at Mission Memorial Hospital ER on Jan. 8, underscoring ongoing efforts to maintain quality healthcare services in the region.