Fraser Health has announced that the maternity unit at Ridge Meadows Hospital in Maple Ridge will be temporarily closed from January 15 to January 19, due to a shortage of available OBGYNs.
This closure marks the second time within a month that the hospital’s maternity unit will be shut down. The previous closure lasted for 96 hours from December 18 to December 22. Similarly, the maternity ward at Peace Arch Hospital in White Rock has faced multiple closures in recent weeks due to staffing shortages.
Fraser Health has reassured expecting mothers that alternative arrangements are in place for patient care during these closures. They urge individuals in need of maternity services to contact the Maternity Unit first, where staff will guide them to other hospitals for necessary care.
The issue of temporary unit closures due to staffing challenges has been a recurring problem in various hospitals across British Columbia, impacting communities like Kamloops, Prince George, and others.
Dr. Chelsea Elwood, the vice president of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of B.C. (SOGBC), highlighted the severity of the situation, stating that the province is currently facing a crisis in maternity care rather than just a looming one. She emphasized the need for a comprehensive, province-wide approach to address the ongoing staffing issues in maternity care, as the current fragmented solutions are inadequate.
Elwood pointed out the additional stress and financial burden placed on patients when they are forced to seek care outside their local area, highlighting the emotional and financial toll it takes on families. She called for a more cohesive strategy to ensure that expecting mothers have reliable access to essential maternity services without having to endure unnecessary challenges.