Fraser Health is diverting maternity patients away from White Rock’s Peace Arch Hospital amid what it says is a “temporary gap in pediatrician coverage.”
The health authority said anyone giving birth between July 8 and July 19 with birth plans for the hospital should go instead to Langley Memorial Hospital.
“Fraser Health made the decision to implement this temporary diversion to ensure a high level of care for expecting individuals,” the health authority said in a media release.
Get weekly health news
“During the diversion period, impacted patients will be notified directly by their physicians or midwives to discuss their birth plan and ensure their needs are met.”
Read more: Doctors say COVID-19 variants put pregnant women at greater risk, cite ‘urgent’ need for vaccines
Anyone in need of urgent care should go directly to the emergency department at their nearest hospital or call 911, it added.
Fraser Health described diversions as “part of our regular operating procedure” when there is a gap in service coverage.
- Nova Scotia flu cases rise as vaccination campaign gets underway
- What is ‘advance directive,’ the principle at heart of Ottawa’s new MAID law?
- New Canadian minimally invasive robotic procedure could revolutionize AFib treatment
- ‘Is this symptom normal?’: AI tool for patient questions rolls out in New Brunswick
It said other services at the hospital remained unaffected.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.