Hospitals in White Rock and Maple Ridge are diverting maternity patients again this April due to an OB-GYN shortage. (Image Credit: Ridge Meadows Hospital Foundation)

By Alyssa Conti

Physician Shortage

Maternity patients at Peace Arch, Ridge Meadows Hospitals temporarily diverted again

Apr 6, 2026 | 10:58 AM

MAPLE RIDGE — An ongoing doctor shortage has two Fraser Health hospitals temporarily turning away expectant parents again this month.

Ridge Meadows Hospital began its diversion on Thursday morning, April 2, and is set to remain closed until 8 a.m. this Friday, April 10 – the eighth disruption to maternity care at the hospital since December 2025.

From Tuesday, April 7, at 8 a.m., to April 14 at 8 a.m., Peace Arch Hospital will also be diverting patients to other labour and delivery care facilities. The eight days will mark the longest such diversion at the maternity ward, also since December 2025.

“We are working hard to find solutions,” said Fraser Health. “Significant efforts continue as we work collaboratively with our physician groups at both sites to find short and long-term solutions, including appealing to locum physicians across the region and province.”

• Ridge Meadows, White Rock hospitals redirecting some scheduled births due to OBGYN shortage

Physician Shortage

Maternity patients at Peace Arch, Ridge Meadows Hospitals temporarily diverted again

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Fraser Health has hired one physician at Peace Arch Hospital, who is expected to join the team in May.

Candidates are also being interviewed for two additional maternity positions at the White Rock facility.

The agency launched the diversion webpage in December, saying that “unexpected departures of OB-GYNs” at both hospitals have triggered the shortage.

Another Fraser Health facility, the Mission Memorial Hospital, is reopening its urgent care to regular hours tomorrow, April 7, following another staffing shortage at the emergency department this long weekend.