Mission hospital emergency room to close overnight Sunday

The emergency room at Mission Memorial Hospital will be closed overnight Sunday due to a shortage of staff, Fraser Health says.

The closure will begin at 5 p.m. Sunday and will run until 8 a.m. Monday.

“The service interruption will begin at 5 p.m. to ensure all patients already in the Emergency Department can be seen by a physician before they end their shift at 11 p.m.,” the health authority said.

“After 5 p.m., emergency-trained nurses will continue to be on site and available to support walk-in patients needing basic care, assist with re-direction of care, and/or transfer patients with urgent needs to a neighbouring hospital.”

Fraser Health says anyone seeking care for urgent, non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries can visit Mission Urgent and Primary Care Centre, Ridge Meadows Urgent and Primary Care Centre, or Abbotsford Urgent and Primary Care Centre during their hours of operation.

As always, those with a life-threatening emergency, chest pain, trouble breathing, or severe breathing should call 911 immediately.

All other services at Mission Memorial Hospital will be available as normal.

This weekend’s closure is not the hospital’s first one this year, as Fraser Health had announced similar closures in February and March.