The mayor of Mission is hopeful the expansion of a local hospital will attract more physicians and ease staffing issues.
In May, the Fraser Health Authority announced an $18-million expansion coming to the hospital’s emergency department. On Wednesday, it announced that construction had begun.
Mayor Paul Horn says he was excited to hear the news.
Horn considers the hospital a “central part of our health district and of all the services around us.”
He says it will effectively double the number of ER beds available.
“That is huge news for us,” said Horn.
Fraser Health says a flood caused by burst pipes in the ER in early 2024 forced repairs but also provided an opportunity to consider how the space could be improved.
In a release Wednesday, Josie Osborne, the provincial health minister, said the expansion of the hospital will “increase capacity, modernize care spaces, and support the dedicated health-care workers.”
Fraser Health President and CEO Dermot Kelly says it will attract and retain skilled care teams that the hospital needs, “[thereby] ensuring our community continues to receive quality care close to home, now and in the future.”
The new building will increase the size of the emergency department by 35 per cent, with more patient-focused areas, such as a private room for patients with mental health issues.
Fraser Health says the new improvement can counter ongoing staffing challenges.
“These upgrades give staff and medical staff better facilities and modern equipment, helping Fraser Health attract and retain staff and medical staff,” the health authority said in a release.
Earlier this month, Fraser Health announced ER service disruptions, with staff shortages that led to overnight ER closures.
Last year, Mission Memorial Hospital’s ER was forced to close temporarily overnight seven times due to staff shortages.
Horn says the new facility will bring more doctors and other health-care workers to the region.
“One of the biggest challenges we have is we just don’t have enough doctors in our community,” said Horn.
In the past, Horn says, the facility hasn’t been up to a standard that would help attract medical workers.
“That is going to change here. Not only is it getting bigger, it’s getting more modern and adding features and amenities that will make it a much better space for providing care.”
Fraser Health says the expansion project will be completed in spring 2027.
