An NDP critic wants the provincial government to do more following the closure of a local hospital unit.
Due to a lack of staffing, Alberta Health Services suspended labour and delivery services at the Fort Saskatchewan Community Hospital. The suspension took effect on Aug. 6 and is expected to last until the 21st.
In a statement, Janis Irwin, the NDP critic for the status of women, said that the closure is “unacceptable” in a city of nearly 30,000 people.
“Travel from Fort Saskatchewan is severely complicated by the deep crisis in the ambulance system caused by the UCP. For the first time, ambulances from Fort Saskatchewan are spending more time in Edmonton than in their own community,” read her statement.
“Pregnancy comes with so much uncertainty and many costs. It is completely unacceptable for the UCP to force expectant parents to travel to different communities to give birth.”
Several closures have occurred at the Fort Saskatchewan Community Hospital’s labour and delivery unit. Between Dec. 31 and Jan. 4 of this year, the unit was temporarily closed due to staffing challenges.
In order to increase hospital capacity due to COVID-19, the unit halted services for nearly three months at the end of December 2020.
This most recent closure is expected to end on Aug. 21. Until then, pregnant patients who planned to deliver at Fort Saskatchewan Community Hospital must adjust their birth plan to deliver at the Sturgeon Community Hospital.
Women who require non-emergency medical care during pregnancy should contact their family physician or obstetrician. You can also reach Health Link 24/7 by dialling 811 to speak to a nurse and receive health information.