Obstetric services temporarily paused in central Alberta communities

AHS also said the COVID-19 response has added some challenges to staffing.

“We are committed to resuming these services as soon as we can. We have been – and continue to be – engaged in discussions with local physicians and care teams to determine a safe and sustainable approach to obstetrical care in these communities,” said AHS in a statement.

As of April 26, six communities across the province were without obstetric services, three of those being in central Alberta.

Sundre’s obstetric services at the Myron Thompson Health Centre have been unavailable for over two years since Apr. 2020. Noting a lack of physician coverage as the reason for the pause, the anticipated return is May 5 of this year. For the years 2017/2018, AHS claims the health centre had 22 deliveries, with 13 the following year, and five since January 2020 before its closure.

Three Hills has been without the service since Dec. 2021 at the Three Hills Health Centre. The anticipated end date of the pause in services is May 9.

Rimbey’s obstetric services were closed in Sept. 2021 at the Rimbey Hospital & Care Centre. With no anticipated deliveries in the next four weeks, the service is expected to return on May 15.

“In the Central Zone, we have made this difficult decision at the three facilities in the best interests and safety of our patients and staff in response to ongoing challenges with recruitment of obstetrically trained and experienced medical staff,” said AHS.

AHS says one of the reasons for the temporary closures in the communities is their lack of utilization.

“Obstetrics requires a team with specialized skills. In order for nursing and medical staff to keep up these skills, they need to deliver babies regularly. All three of these sites have historically low volumes of deliveries, so maintaining staff competency and recruiting those with OBS skills is an ongoing challenge. We are continuing our aggressive recruitment strategies for this specialized workforce,” said AHS.

For Janis Irwin, NDP critic for Status of Women, the need to obtain services in different cities is unacceptable.

“Expectant parents should not be forced to travel hundreds of kilometers because services in their communities are closed because of the UCP’s mismanagement of healthcare. They deserve care close to home,” she said.

AHS says that soon-to-be parents are still being provided with other necessary services in the meantime.

“In all communities, prenatal patients continue to receive antenatal care from their local care team, prior to being referred to a nearby facility for their delivery. Patients and their newborns also continue to receive care from their local provider following delivery and discharge from hospital,” said AHS.

Apart from obstetrics, acute care and emergency departments in hospitals across the province have either been partially or fully closed.

As of April 26, 14 communities in Alberta are being affected by these service reductions.

According to the AHS website, 11 communities have service reductions in acute care, with four of them being in central Alberta’s Rimbey, Rocky Mountain House, Hanna and Wainwright. All services are expected to return in May 2022, the website indicates.

For emergency departments, three communities in Alberta have reduced emergency department services, including Two Hills, Hardisty, and Cold Lake.

NDP Health Critic David Shepherd believes the health system was negatively impacted by the UCP’s decision to fire AHS CEO Dr. Verna Yiu. He also claims the decision was an attempt to privatize healthcare.

“The UCP should be directing funds and focus into ensuring that closed hospitals across the province can reopen and that women are able to access obstetric services,” said Shepherd.

by Alessia Proietti

Obstetric services temporarily paused in central Alberta communities

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