Expectant parents in White Rock are facing another temporary closure of the maternity unit at Peace Arch Hospital this week. This marks the third closure in less than a month, with the upcoming closure scheduled from Thursday, Jan. 8, at 7 a.m. until Monday, Jan. 12, at 8 a.m.
Due to an ongoing shortage of OBGYNs, Fraser Health has announced these temporary closures, redirecting expectant parents to alternative care facilities. The health authority has been alerting the public about potential shortages at Ridge Meadows and Peace Arch hospitals since early December.
Notably, this will be the longest closure at Peace Arch Hospital since Dec. 22. In a similar vein, Ridge Meadows Hospital experienced a 96-hour diversion of maternity patients from Dec. 18 to Dec. 22.
Fraser Health advises expectant parents to contact the Maternity Unit in case of labor or pregnancy concerns, as the staff will guide them to the appropriate hospital for care. The health authority has taken steps to address the shortage by recruiting six OBGYNs to the region’s hospitals in the past year, with plans to hire more and bridge service gaps.
With one physician expected to join the Peace Arch Hospital team in Spring 2026, Fraser Health is working diligently to mitigate potential future diversions. The health authority acknowledges that the timing of such diversions is subject to change on short notice, depending on unforeseen circumstances such as sudden absences or doctors calling in sick.