There won’t be any babies born on New Year’s Eve at Peace Arch Hospital.
The hospital’s maternity unit is on diversion again from Monday, Dec. 29 at 8 a.m. to Thursday, Jan. 1 at 8 a.m., Fraser Health has just announced.
The closure is part of a previously announced series of diversions at the hospital over the holiday season, stemming from a staffing shortage.
Anyone who goes into labour or has pregnancy-related concerns is asked to call the maternity unit first, where staff will direct them to the appropriate site for assessment. In an emergency, patients should call 9-1-1.
“We are working closely with our physician group to fill the gaps in coverage and are proactively sharing this update with the community to ensure our patients and their families have the information they need,” Fraser Health said in a previous press release.
Both Peace Arch and Ridge Meadows hospital maternity units are being affected at times over the holiday season, with Fraser Health noting the situation is “dynamic” depending upon staffing at both hospitals.
The health authority says it is continuing to recruit obstetrician-gynecologists for both hospitals. Progress has been made, with one physician hired for Peace Arch Hospital who is expected to join the team in the spring 2026.
Fraser Health says it is partnering with local Divisions of Family Practice and obstetrician-gynecologist groups at both hospitals to maintain reliable maternity services for families in the White Rock–South Surrey and Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows communities.
The link to the new information webpage that has been developed for patients and families and will be updated as the situation evolves.