White Rock Hospital Faces Sixth Maternity Ward Diversion Since December

Peace Arch Hospital in White Rock, British Columbia, is set to undergo its sixth maternity ward diversion since December 2025. This latest diversion will occur from February 5, 2026February 10, 2026, at 08:00. Fraser Health has described these temporary diversions as necessary due to a shortage of obstetrician-gynecologists at both Peace Arch Hospital and Ridge Meadows Hospital in Maple Ridge.

In a recent visit to Surrey to announce a new urgent and primary care facility, Provincial Health Minister Josie Osborne was questioned about whether these diversions indicate a crisis within the province’s healthcare system. Osborne focused on the systemic pressures affecting healthcare, stating, “What we’re seeing here is a strain in the health-care system that’s reflective of shortages, particularly in certain kinds of specialists.”

When pressed further on the implications of the diversions for the healthcare system, Osborne refrained from directly labeling the situation as a crisis. She emphasized the importance of prioritizing patient safety, urging pregnant individuals and their families to seek care without hesitation. “I want to be very clear that pregnant people and their families should present at the hospital no matter what. They will get the very best care,” she added.

The staffing shortages affecting maternity services have drawn attention to broader issues within the healthcare system. According to Dr. Darren Lazare, co-program medical director for the Maternal Infant Child Youth program at Fraser Health, disparities in reimbursement for procedures performed on male versus female patients contribute to the challenges in staffing. Lazare noted that procedures on female patients are reimbursed at approximately 26 to 27 percent less than those for male patients, a fact he described as well-documented.

Osborne acknowledged the existence of gender inequity in the healthcare system, stating, “This raises some really important questions around equity, reflecting the complexity of care and the outcomes that patients deserve to experience.” She pointed out that the structures determining physician reimbursements are established through a process involving the medical services commission, rather than direct government intervention.

As the healthcare community grapples with these issues, Osborne could not specify how long the current maternity diversion would last. She assured the public that Fraser Health is actively working to address staffing gaps by collaborating with physician groups to attract locum doctors.

The history of maternity diversions at Peace Arch Hospital highlights the ongoing challenges within the regional healthcare system. The previous diversions have occurred on the following dates:
– December 7 to 10, 2025
– December 22 to 25, 2025
– December 29, 2025, to January 1, 2026
– January 8 to January 12, 2026
– January 22 to January 26, 2026

As the situation continues to evolve, the health and safety of patients remain paramount. The community is urged to remain informed and proactive in seeking necessary medical care during these diversions.