WESTLOCK – The “temporary” suspension of obstetrical services at Westlock Healthcare Centre, which began in September, will continue to Feb. 6.
Alberta Health Services first announced in the fall they were temporarily pausing obstetrical services from Sept. 19 to Oct. 31, a decision that was centered on patient safety and due to a lack of trained registered nurse availability, two factors which continue to impact the closure.
“This is due to a lack of maternity-trained registered nurses and an inability to secure contracted coverage. AHS continues to ensure all expecting parents have the support they need,” an AHS spokesperson said in a statement via email. “AHS is working closely with surrounding communities to offer additional support to Westlock patients, as needed.”
The statement noted the decision related to limited nursing resources and patient safety and that obstetrics is a high-risk practice that requires a team of experts with very specialized skills. It went on to say the situation does not impact any other care services offered at the healthcare centre.
“We are in direct contact with prenatal patients and their families to review the options available to them for hospital-based delivery and to put a plan in place for safe delivery,” the statement read. “Patients will be able to receive postnatal care for themselves and their infant(s) with their usual family physician in Westlock.”
In a follow-up email AHS said that recruitment challenges continue in many communities provincially and nationally and staffing pressures are also being felt both nationally and internationally due to impacts of the pandemic recovery, increased demand for services and global and national staffing shortages.
Last year the NDP pointed out similar situations in the past year across the province regarding the temporary cancellation of obstetrical services in several communities including Slave Lake, Edson, Whitecourt, Barrhead, Lac La Biche, St. Paul, and Three Hills, as well as Fort Saskatchewan, Bonnyville, and Rocky Mountain House. While the communities of Rimbey and Sundre have been without obstetrics for more than a year.
