Mission Memorial Hospital's emergency department will be closed overnight on Sunday due to a shortage of physicians, health officials announced. The closure will take effect from 8 p.m. Sunday until 8 a.m. Monday.
Impact on Patients
Patients requiring emergency care during that period are advised to seek treatment at nearby hospitals, including Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Chilliwack General Hospital. Ambulance services will redirect patients to these facilities.
Fraser Health Authority stated that the closure is necessary to ensure patient safety, as there are not enough doctors to staff the ER overnight. The health authority is working to find a long-term solution to the staffing challenges.
Community Concerns
Local residents have expressed frustration over the recurring closures, which have become more frequent in recent months. The hospital's ER has faced intermittent closures due to staffing shortages, raising concerns about access to emergency care in the region.
Mission Mayor Paul Horn said the situation is unacceptable and called on the provincial government to address the physician shortage in rural and suburban communities.
