Staffing ‘challenges’ to shutter Mission ER overnight again Sunday: Fraser Health

An entrance to Mission Memorial Hospital is seen on Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022. (CTV)

Another “service interruption” will shutter the emergency room at Mission Memorial Hospital starting Sunday evening, according to the health authority.

The department will be closed from 6:30 p.m. on Sunday until 8 a.m. Monday because of a shortage of physicians, a bulletin from Fraser Health said.

“After 6:30 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,” the statement said.

“Fraser Health is working closely with B.C. Emergency Health Services to ensure patients requiring a high-level of care are directed or transferred to an appropriate hospital emergency service.”

Doctors working in the emergency department are on shift until 11 p.m., but the earlier closure is necessary so patients on site can be attended to before doctors leave for the night, the health authority explained.

Sunay marks the second night in a row that the emergency department in Mission will be closed.