Urgent Action Demanded as Mission, B.C. ER Faces Repeated Closures

UPDATE: Mission, B.C. residents are taking urgent action as local emergency room (ER) closures continue to disrupt critical healthcare services. On October 14, 2023, dozens rallied outside Mission Memorial Hospital, demanding immediate reforms from the Fraser Health Authority to prevent further overnight ER shutdowns.

The situation escalated last week when the ER closed to new patients from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. the following day, marking the sixth closure this year due to severe doctor shortages. Residents fear for their safety, particularly parents like Leanne Smythe, who expressed her anxiety about not having reliable access to urgent care for her children.

“If we don’t get off the couch and get out, the government has a reason to ignore us,” Smythe stated during the rally.

The demonstrators, including health-care workers and community leaders, held signs with slogans like “Mission Matters” and “Health Care Matters,” urging the health authority to boost staffing and restore full emergency services. Reann Gasper, MLA for Abbotsford–Mission and organizer of the event, criticized the provincial government, stating, “Do something that the people in this community can actually feel the change.”

Dr. Paul Theron, the medical director at Mission Memorial, explained that the closures stem from multiple pressures, including the aftermath of an unexpected flood in January 2024 that severely damaged the ER. Currently, the department is operating in inadequate facilities as renovations are underway, backed by an $18 million provincial project expected to take 18 months to complete. This project aims to expand care spaces from 27 to 41.

However, even with upgrades, staffing remains a pressing concern. “The recruitment from out of the country, from out of province, and domestic training isn’t holding up with the demand,” Theron admitted.

The ripple effects are felt across the province, with communities like Delta also reporting multiple ER closures this year. Mayor Paul Horn stated that the issue reflects a broader struggle to attract and retain doctors in smaller communities. “It’s happening at small and mid-size hospitals across the province,” Horn noted.

In response to the ongoing crisis, the City of Mission is advancing a proposed health and wellness district to attract healthcare professionals and related services. “They need a reason to come here,” Horn emphasized.

The Ministry of Health acknowledged the challenges posed by the global shortage of healthcare workers and stated they are taking steps to alleviate these issues, including fast-tracking credential recognition and expanding medical training facilities. Despite these efforts, residents remain skeptical about the future of emergency care in their community.

“It’s really easy to ignore small towns like Mission,” Smythe concluded, as the community continues to push for immediate and effective solutions to their healthcare crisis.

As the situation develops, residents and officials are left watching closely for signs of progress in their fight for stable emergency services.