Women planning to give birth at Ridge Meadows Hospital during the holidays are being warned by health officials they could be diverted to a different hospital.
On Saturday, Dec. 6, the Fraser Health Authority gave a public service announcement for expectant families.
Because of a temporary shortage of obstetrician-gynecologist physicians at Ridge Meadows Hospital on select dates over the holiday season, women in labour who had planned to give birth there may be guided to another maternity site to ensure they receive safe, uninterrupted care. Peace Arch Hospital in White Rock is in the same situation.
Patients who are registered to deliver their babies at Ridge Meadows or Peace Arch Hospitals have been contacted by their care provider, so they know what to expect.
If they are in labour or have a pregnancy concern, patients are asked to first call the maternity unit, and they will be directed to the appropriate site for assessment. In an emergency, patients should call 9-1-1.
The health authority said in a press release, it is working closely with physicians to fill gaps in coverage.
“We know this update may cause concern for our patients and families, and apologize for any added stress this may bring as they prepare for their baby’s arrival. These steps are in place to support them in receiving timely, appropriate care.
“While temporary diversions are part of our regular operating procedure, we work diligently to minimize their use in our hospitals whenever possible. When we are unable to fill gaps in physician coverage, we reluctantly implement temporary diversions to ensure the safety of our patients.”
Fraser Health is working to recruit obstetrician-gynecologists to the hospitals, using national and international recruitment to fill positions as quickly as possible. A physician has been hired to start at Peace Arch Hospital in Spring 2026.
To support patients and families, a new webpage has been developed which can be found online at fraserhealth.ca. This page will be updated as the situation changes.
For information on pregnancy and our maternity hospitals, visit fraserhealth.ca/pregnancy.