There will be a new maternity diversion at Ridge Meadows Hospital in Maple Ridge, beginning on Thursday, April 23 at 8 a.m.
The diversion will last until Monday, April 27 at 8 a.m., and expectant mothers who go into labour, or who have a pregnancy concern, are asked to call the maternity unit at 604-463-4111 before going to the hospital. Hospital staff will direct them to another hospital for care.
This will be the ninth maternity diversion at Ridge Meadows hospital since they began in December of 2025. The last one just ended on Friday, April 10.
The ‘temporary’ maternity diversions have been happening since December of last year at Peace Arch and Ridge Meadows hospitals.
The cause is a shortage of obstetrician-gynecologists, according to Fraser Health.
Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of B.C. president Dr. Chelsea Elwood said the entire province is “absolutely” in a crisis when it comes to obstetrical and gynecological services, but B.C.’s health minister Josie Osborne has declined answering whether the ongoing diversions constitute a crisis.