Mission Memorial Hospital Emergency Department to Close Overnight Sunday
The emergency department at Mission Memorial Hospital will be temporarily closed overnight this Sunday due to a significant shortage of available physicians. This service interruption highlights ongoing staffing challenges that have plagued the facility in recent years.
Specific Closure Details and Timeframe
Fraser Health has announced that the temporary closure will be in effect from Sunday, February 8, at 5 p.m. until Monday, February 9, at 8 a.m. Patients already in the emergency department by 5 p.m. on Sunday will receive care before the physician completes their shift at 11 p.m. that evening.
During the overnight closure period, emergency-trained nurses will remain on-site to assist walk-in patients requiring basic medical attention. These healthcare professionals will also help redirect individuals who need more comprehensive emergency care to nearby hospitals with functioning emergency departments.
Recurring Pattern of Emergency Department Closures
This latest closure continues a troubling trend for Mission Memorial Hospital. The facility experienced an extended closure period of over a week between December 29 and January 6. Historical data reveals that the hospital's emergency department closed at least three times in 2025 and four times in 2024, all attributed to physician staffing shortages.
"We recognize how important consistent access to emergency care is for the Mission community and we are actively working to address physician staffing gaps as they arise to maintain service continuity," stated Fraser Health in an official communication regarding the upcoming closure.
Alternative Healthcare Options During Closure
For individuals experiencing life-threatening emergencies such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, or severe bleeding, Fraser Health emphasizes that calling 911 remains the appropriate response. Emergency operators will direct patients to the nearest available hospital with emergency services.
The health authority is encouraging community members with less urgent medical needs to consider alternative healthcare options during the closure period:
- Contact the Fraser Health crisis line 24/7 at 1-877-820-7444
- Call the virtual care number at 1-800-314-0999 to speak with a registered nurse between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m., seven days a week
- Outside those hours, calling 811 will connect individuals with a health service navigator or nurse
Regional Impact and Future Considerations
While Mission Memorial Hospital's emergency department will be the only unit affected by this closure, Fraser Health acknowledges that the temporary shutdown may lead to increased wait times for patients with non-urgent health concerns at other hospitals within the region. All other emergency departments in the Fraser Health region will maintain normal operations with physicians on-site.
Fraser Health has committed to providing advance notice of any future service interruptions, allowing community members to plan accordingly. The health authority continues to work on long-term solutions to address the persistent physician staffing challenges that have resulted in multiple emergency department closures at Mission Memorial Hospital in recent years.
