2025 Year in Review: Province sees unprecedented number of ER closures

British Columbians seeking immediate medical attention this year may have found their local hospital’s emergency room temporarily closed.

Some health-care workers say 2025 saw an unprecedented number of ER closures, with more anticipated to wrap up the year.

“We are heading into the end of the year with over, roughly, 250 temporary closures this year,” said Ian Tait with Ambulance Paramedics of B.C.

Tait says it is a struggle to keep ambulance staffed, and he is not sure how much longer they will be able to continue the way things are.

Between ER closures — including some in Delta and Mission — and the departure of Fraser Health CEO Victoria Lee, the system has been in a state of flux, something some elected officials say is unacceptable.

“We just can’t operate an emergency department that’s going to be closed to the people that need urgent care and have to be transported or drive on their own to other hospitals outside of Delta,” Delta Mayor George Harvie said.

Delta has the highest response time for urgent calls in Metro Vancouver, something that residents have expressed anxiety about.

One common factor across the board is how big a factor time can play in certain emergencies. For example, Tait says, for things like a heart attack or stroke, minutes count.

“If you show up at your local hospitals and there’s a ‘closed’ sign on the door, sometimes we’re seeing neighbouring hospitals are two hours away up north.”

On the positive side, the province has been listening to recommendations from paramedics and taking advantage of health care applicants out of the U.S., Tait says.

He says better communication with the public is needed when hospitals see temporary closures, but what the province needs most is a long-term solution.