The maternity unit at Peace Arch Hospital in White Rock will temporarily shut down for four days starting this week, causing expectant parents to seek care at other facilities.
Starting from 8 a.m. on Thursday, February 19, until 8 a.m. on Monday, February 23, the maternity unit will be closed for the second time this month and the fourth time this year. Fraser Health attributes these closures to a shortage of OBGYNs following unexpected departures.
The health authority had been anticipating potential staffing shortages at both Peace Arch and Ridge Meadows hospitals since December 2025. If you are expecting and require immediate care, Fraser Health advises contacting the Maternity Unit first for proper guidance on where to go.
Fraser Health has recently recruited six OBGYNs to hospitals in the region, with plans to hire more to address service gaps. A new physician is set to join the team at Peace Arch Hospital in Spring 2026.
The health authority warns that future closures may happen suddenly due to unforeseen circumstances like staff absences or illnesses. Fraser Health acknowledges that the region, like the rest of the province and country, is grappling with challenges such as a decrease in local family physicians offering maternity services, fewer midwives providing comprehensive care, and more complex maternity cases.