'An amazing reversal': Fraser Health flip flops on decision to temporarily close Peace Arch Hospital's maternity ward
After a week of uncertainty, there was some good news for expectant moms in the White Rock/South Surrey area Thursday.
Fraser Health has flip flopped on its decision to temporarily close the maternity ward at Peace Arch Hospital.
In a statement, the health authority says: “Significant new scheduling commitments from the pediatric group at Peace Arch Hospital and commitments from other provider partners ensure that expectant individuals who have pre-existing plans to deliver their babies at the hospital will be able to see those plans through.”
Fraser Health says the maternity ward will still face sporadic, single-day diversions of expectant moms to Langley Memorial.
The announcement came as dozens of people rallied outside Peace Arch Hospital Thursday to protest the previously announced closure that was to begin next week and expected to last for months.
“We can go back to looking forward to having our baby … an amazing reversal,” said Savannah Walsh, who is expecting her sixth child 10 weeks from now.
“We’re absolutely overwhelmed with the power of community. I’m still shocked,” she said.
Before the change of plans by Fraser Health, Walsh had told CTV News the plan to divert patients left her scared.
“I have quick births,” she said. “We have such a good chance of me giving birth on the side of the road. This is absolutely petrifying for me.”
Fraser Health previously said it would close the maternity ward because of challenges in finding pediatric coverage, stating that it can be challenging to recruit pediatricians to work in smaller hospitals like Peace Arch.
But Dr. Sarah Fung, an obstetrician at the hospital, says the problem has been a lack of leadership from Fraser Health to recruit and retain pediatricians.
She also told CTV News that the anticipated closure had left her worried about patients.
“It’s not acceptable for a pregnant patient in an emergency to have to travel 30 to 45 minutes to a different hospital. And it’s only a matter of time before a woman in labour arrives at emergency at Peace Arch and they don’t have access to a specialized care team,” the doctor explained.
Critics say it’s a problem that should have been fixed long before it got to this point.
“This is something that’s been flagged a number of years ago to try and get recruitment out here of pediatricians and this government has not made it a priority,” said Trevor Halford, the Liberal MLA for Surrey-White Rock, who was at the rally.
Also taking part in the rally was Jennie Lucow, a registered midwife.
“All of our time has been spent trying to talk to clients who are terrified. They have no idea what’s going to happen,” she said Thursday morning, before Fraser Health reversed its decision.
Fraser Health also says an alternative payment model to support pediatric recruitment has now been implemented.
“We have also expanded our services to support a Pediatric Rapid Access Clinic at Peace Arch Hospital,” the health authority says in a statement.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Florida deputies who fatally shot U.S. airman burst into wrong apartment, attorney says
Deputies responding to a disturbance call at a Florida apartment complex burst into the wrong unit and fatally shot a Black U.S. Air Force airman who was home alone when they saw he was armed with a gun, an attorney for the man's family said Wednesday.
Air Canada ranks near bottom on customer satisfaction: survey
Air Canada ranks below most other major North American airlines on customer satisfaction, with airfares a particular sore point, according to a new survey.