Low-risk deliveries will resume at Cariboo Memorial Hospital (CMH) in Williams Lake tomorrow (April 30).
On Feb. 27, Interior Health announced it had an unexpected and critical shortage of maternity nurses at CMH. That forced staff to temporarily suspend inpatient obstetrical services and send expectant mothers to other communities, like Kamloops and Prince George.
In a press release issued today (April 29), Interior Health says in less than 24 hours CMH will be able to conduct low-risk deliveries (babies who have reached full term of 37-plus weeks), and emergency C-sections as required.
.@Interior_Health says it will resume low-risk deliveries at Cariboo Memorial Hospital in #WilliamsLake tomorrow (April 30). Expectant mothers and babies at higher risk of complications will continue to be directed to #Kamloops or the community of their choice.
— Tereza Verenca (@tverenca) April 29, 2019
Expectant mothers and babies at higher risk of complications will still be sent to Kamloops or the community of their choice, notes the release.
The health authority is encouraging moms-to-be to check with their physicians whether they can plan for deliveries at CMH or whether they have to relocate.
"There is still a potential for temporary interruptions to local maternity services in the months ahead. Contingency plans to support expectant mothers remain in place if service is temporarily unavailable at CMH," reads the release.
Interior Health notes it has hired two new maternity nurses for CMH. Additionally, one new maternity nurse will be hired in May and seven CMH nurses are currently being trained in full-scope maternity care and are expected to be ready for work in July. Nurses outside the health region are also coming to Williams Lake to support local patients.
