Staffing challenges have once again forced the closure of the emergency department at Mission Memorial Hospital, this time overnight on Sunday. Fraser Health issued a notice Sunday afternoon stating that the ER would close at 5 p.m. and remain shut until 8 a.m. Monday.
Impact on Patients
Patients currently waiting to see a doctor will be attended to, but only until the physicians' shifts conclude at 11 p.m. After that, those needing urgent care will be redirected to neighboring hospitals.
During the service interruption, emergency-trained nurses will remain on site to provide basic care to walk-in patients, assist with redirection, and transfer individuals with urgent needs to other facilities. Patients requiring more complex care will be redirected by B.C. Emergency Health Services to a hospital with appropriate resources.
Recurring Issue
This is not the first time Mission Memorial has faced such disruptions. Similar closures occurred on May 25 and May 31, highlighting ongoing staffing difficulties at the facility.
Fraser Health urges residents to call 911 for life-threatening emergencies and to seek alternative care options when possible.
