The maternity unit at White Rock’s Peace Arch Hospital will be closed once again, marking the third temporary closure in less than a month. Expectant parents from 7 a.m. on Thursday through 8 a.m. on Monday, January 12, will be redirected to other healthcare facilities due to a shortage of OBGYNs in the region.
Fraser Health has been grappling with ongoing shortages of obstetricians and gynecologists, impacting hospitals in Ridge Meadows and Peace Arch since early December. This closure at Peace Arch Hospital, the longest one since December 22, follows a similar diversion at Ridge Meadows Hospital that lasted for 96 hours from December 18 to 22.
Dr. Claudine Storness-Bliss, an obstetrician-gynecologist at Surrey Memorial Hospital, expressed concerns about the risks posed by these diversions to patients. She highlighted the potential for complications or missed opportunities for timely care when resources do not match the patient volume. Storness-Bliss emphasized the importance of proper communication with ambulance crews to ensure patients with emergency gynecological needs receive prompt attention.
The closures not only pose risks to patients but also lead to challenges for those seeking care, including inadequate pain control and lack of privacy during labor. Storness-Bliss described the situation as “cruel,” emphasizing the strain on healthcare staff and resources when faced with increased demand at alternative facilities.
Fraser Health has made efforts to recruit more OBGYNs to address the staffing gaps, with one physician expected to join Peace Arch Hospital’s team in Spring 2026. However, the health authority acknowledges the dynamic nature of future diversions, which may be announced on short notice in response to unexpected absences or sick calls from doctors.
In the midst of recruitment initiatives, concerns have been raised about the government’s reactive approach to healthcare crises. MLA Anna Kindy criticized the diverted services as “unacceptable” and called for more proactive measures to retain healthcare workers. Storness-Bliss echoed the sentiment, highlighting the need for urgent action and systemic changes to improve patient care outcomes.