A temporary maternity diversion will be in effect at Ridge Meadows Hospital in Maple Ridge over the Labour Day long weekend due to a shortage of specialist staff.

Fraser Health says the diversion will begin at 8 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 6, and remain in place until 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

The health authority is advising pregnant patients who may go into labour or require maternity care during that period to contact the hospital’s Maternity Unit. Staff will provide direction on where patients should go to receive care.

According to Fraser Health, the diversion is necessary because of a temporary staffing shortage of obstetrician-gynecologists at Ridge Meadows Hospital.

No other details about alternate care locations have been released. Fraser Health says affected patients will be guided to appropriate services when they call the maternity unit.