WESTLOCK—The Westlock Healthcare Centre won’t be performing any C-sections until July 12 while a doctor is on medical leave.
Alberta Health Services says they are working with the Barrhead Healthcare Centre, the Sturgeon Community Hospital in St. Albert and other healthcare centres in Edmonton and have a plan in place for the safe delivery of babies.
“(Alberta Health Services) is working hard to ensure local residents continue to have access to the care they need during this time,” AHS wrote in a May 19 press release announcing the closure.
“To ensure the safety of all patients, obstetrical services will be limited to low-risk patients as there will be no operating room capability for obstetrics in Westlock during this time.”
While other hospitals in rural Alberta have been forced to shut down emergency departments due to COVID-19, there is no indication that the Westlock hospital obstetrics interruption is caused by capacity issues.
