A hospital in British Columbia’s Fraser Valley is shutting its emergency department during overnight hours for more than a week due to staffing challenges.
Fraser Health says in a release that Mission Memorial Hospital’s emergency department will operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Dec. 29 to Jan. 6 to reflect what it says are “systemic pressures being experienced across Canada.”
Get weekly health news
During that time, the hospital will have emergency-trained nurses to assess walk-in patients and provide basic care, as well as redirect them to a neighbouring hospital if their needs are more urgent.
Mission Memorial Hospital site medical director Dr. Paul Theron says in a statement that the temporary closure is to “enable consistent and plannable hours” while enabling the hospital to “align services with available staffing and maintain patient safety.”
- Ontario man fighting Stage 4 cancer seeking answers on out-of-country coverage denial
- Doctor warns of ‘cancer tsunami’ as WHO projects sharp rise in cases by 2050
- Can a blood test tell if cancer is returning? Research is underway
- Can a blood test tell patients if their cancer is coming back? Researchers are on it
Theron also says the hospital is working with the provincial Ministry of Health “to stabilize longer-term staffing.”
Fraser Health announced earlier this month that four hospitals in the B.C. Interior — three of which have had periodic emergency-department closures due to staffing shortages — are starting a pilot program where emergency-care patients may be seen virtually by an off-site doctor.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.