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Good morning,
Spring break is supposed to be a time to relax, but for Fraser Valley health care, it's creating some stress. Staffing shortages have forced Mission Memorial Hospital to reduce its emergency department hours through the end of the month, with the ER now closing at 5 p.m. daily. More on that below.
– Emily
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News & Features
Mission Memorial Hospital shortens ER hours for two weeks
Photo: Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation
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.”
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Check out some of the important work being done by Abbotsford City Council over the past few weeks in our latest spread. You can sign up to stay informed on our website at abbotsford.ca/councilinthecommunity.
Need to Know
🚗 Four people were taken to hospital, one with life-threatening injuries, after a single-vehicle collision near Marshall Road and Peardonville Road in Abbotsford late Saturday night, with speed and alcohol being considered as factors. [Fraser Valley Today]
⚖️ Two people — a Maple Ridge man and a North Vancouver woman — have been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Iranian-Canadian activist Masood Masjoody, whose body was found in Mission on March 6. [The Hope Standard]
👶 Agassiz/Harrison Childcare Centres has a new owner: Tim Ji, an early childhood educator with experience operating other facilities in BC, who says he plans to keep operations unchanged to ensure stability for families and staff. [Agassiz-Harrison Observer]
🏠 A Fraser Health program supporting Indigenous elders in the Eastern Fraser Valley received $1.3 million in new funding to expand its home-based care model, with a focus on urban Chilliwack. [Mission City Record]
🏗️ UFV is moving ahead with plans to develop underutilized land on its Abbotsford and Chilliwack campuses through a property trust, with the goal of generating long-term revenue for scholarships, research, and capital projects while adding housing and amenities near campus. [UFV]
🌱 Compassionate Neighbours is hosting a spring fundraiser on April 18 in Chilliwack — featuring a garage sale, plants, and doughnuts — to help fund free social programs for isolated and lonely seniors. [Chilliwack Progress]
🌲 Families with children aged two to 10 are invited to explore Aldergrove Regional Park on March 26 for the free Enchanted Forest drop-in event, featuring nature discovery activities and a hunt for a mythical gnome. [Langley Advance Times]
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🗓 Things to do
St. Patrick's Day Trivia Night: Head to Wings in Abbotsford on March 20 for a fun evening of St. Patrick's Day trivia, prizes, and good food; trivia starts at 5 p.m.
Otosan: Little Onion Co. brings this charming puppetry show to the Chilliwack Cultural Centre on March 21 at 2 p.m., following a spirited girl and her gruff father on an unexpected arctic adventure filled with bears, wolves, and snowy owls.
Easter Egg Hunt at Greendale Acres: Head to Greendale Acres on March 27 for a farm Easter celebration featuring an egg hunt in the apple orchard, face painting, baby animals, an obstacle course, photos with the Easter Bunny, and blooming tulip fields; tickets are $17 online or $20 at the door, free for kids under 2 and guests 75 and over.
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