Expecting parents in White Rock able to deliver at Peace Arch Hospital again

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WHITE ROCK (NEWS 1130) — Expecting parents will soon be able to give birth at White Rock’s Peace Arch Hospital again.

Recent shortages have seen Fraser Health re-directing expectant parents away from Peace Arch to other communities.

“We’re really understanding that it’s hard for families and patients. We’re very appreciative of Langley Hospital which has really stepped in and helped us so much. But we’re working hard and we are optimistic we’re going to get the proper service in place,” the head of Child and Youth Programs, Dr. Martin Smith said, adding two full-time equivalencies are being filled.

But he admits it’s not easy attracting specialists to smaller hospitals.

“Peace Arch has a maternity unit but does not have a pediatric unit and pediatricians normally would see babies and newborns, but also see older children as well. So it’s been a little harder to recruit.”

Starting Aug. 9, a new contract with the Ministry of Health makes it possible for maternity patients to give birth at Peace Arch until at least the end of this year.

Smith says at least two full-time pediatricians will be in place to ensure every birth is safe.

“It doesn’t happen very often, we’re talking about maybe 15 per cent of the time, but you never know who’s going to be in that bracket. So it is important to have pediatricians at deliveries. And especially, of course, if there’s any more advanced delivery, such as Caesarean section or a particular type of delivery that needs forceps or instrument delivery.”

He adds this new contract —made possible with support from BC’s Ministry of Health– is expected to last until at least the end of this year.

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