Staffing shortages over spring break have led Mission Memorial Hospital to reduce its emergency department hours until the end of the month, says Fraser Health. 

The change went into effect on Saturday, with opening hours between 8am and 5pm, now through March 31. After 5pm, emergency-trained nurses will be on site to support walk-in patients needing basic care or to redirect care to neighbouring hospitals.

Abbotsford Regional Hospital is the closest nearby option for those in need of more advanced emergency care during Mission Memorial’s off hours, followed by Ridge Meadows Hospital. 

Fraser Health says the temporary change reflects “national, systemic pressures, and is impacted by spring break, when it becomes more difficult to cover scheduling gaps.”

Dr. Paul Theron, site medical director at Mission Memorial Hospital, says that the temporary change to operations will ensure community members know when and where emergency health services are available.

“Having consistent and plannable hours allows us to provide reliable and safe, quality care to our patients while better supporting our hardworking emergency team.”

The health authority says multiple physician candidates are currently moving through the hiring process for the hospital, which it says will improve coverage “in the coming months.”

The staffing shortage comes three weeks after construction began on an $18-million expansion of the hospital's ER—an upgrade that Fraser Health says is partly aimed at retaining staff. 

The health authority says modernizing the department’s equipment will make the hospital a more appealing workplace for physicians.