Fraser Health warns of ‘temporary service interruption’ at Mission Memorial Hospital overnight

An entrance to Mission Memorial Hospital is seen on Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022. (CTV)

Health officials in the Fraser Valley are warning the public of a “temporary service interruption” at Mission Memorial Hospital’s emergency department.

From 7 p.m. Saturday until 8 a.m. Sunday, patients with urgent needs will be transferred to a different hospital, Fraser Health said in a statement Saturday afternoon.

The health authority attributed the diversion to “physician staffing challenges,” and said it begins at 7 p.m. “to ensure all patients already in the emergency department can be seen by a physician before they end their shift at 10 p.m.”

“After 7 p.m., emergency-trained nurses will continue to be on site and available to support walk-in patients needing basic first aid, assist with redirection of care, and/or transfer patients with urgent needs to a neighbouring hospital,” the statement reads.

“Fraser Health is working closely with B.C. Emergency Health Services to ensure patients requiring a high-level of care are directed or transferred to an appropriate hospital emergency service.”

The service interruption only affects the emergency department, Fraser Health said, adding that other services at Mission Memorial Hospital will remain available.

Emergency room closures and patient redirections have been a common occurrence in rural B.C. for years, but were not typically seen in the Lower Mainland until last year.

While B.C. officials have touted their efforts to recruit and retain health-care workers, the net gains in physicians practising in the province have not kept pace with a booming population that has stressed the system.

“Anyone with a life-threatening emergency, such as chest pain, difficulty breathing or severe bleeding, should call 911 immediately and will be transported to the nearest available and appropriate facility,” Fraser Health said Saturday.

The health authority added that all other emergency departments in its service area remain open and have emergency physicians on site.

“However, high numbers of people seeking care and human resources challenges at many of our hospital emergency departments may lead to longer wait times for patients with non-urgent care concerns,” Fraser Health said.

“We appreciate your patience and support as we address these health human resource challenges and thank our staff, medical staff and BC Emergency Health Services staff for their commitment to providing quality care.”

With files from CTV News Vancouver’s Penny Daflos