Mission Memorial Hospital ER closures extended 4 more weeks

A Fraser Valley emergency room is being hit with one of the longest closures it has ever faced.

Mission Memorial Hospital’s emergency department will only be open for nine hours a day for the next month, the local health authority announced Tuesday, extending what it described as a “temporary change.”

The department has been opening at 8 a.m. and closing at 5 p.m. since March 14, and those reduced hours will remain in effect until at least May 4 due to a shortage of available doctors, a statement from Fraser Health said.

“We are continuing to make every effort to recruit more staff and prevent further service adaptations,” the statement from the health authority said.

“We know how important access to emergency care is for the community. These temporary hours of operation help us provide safe, reliable care for the community while our recruitment efforts continue.”

Emergency nurses will be on site after 5 p.m. to assess and redirect patients. Those who need urgent medical attention while the department is closed are advised to call 911.