Surgeons expected to halt future obstetrics closures
In a news release on Thursday, Aug. 6, Horizon Health said it had hired two new surgeons for the Upper River Valley Hospital (URVH).
“Horizon Health Network continues to make progress in strengthening labour and birth services at Horizon’s Upper River Valley Hospital (URVH) through ongoing recruitment efforts,” the release stated.
The two hires will serve patients across the Upper River Valley region, marking the first time in 10 years that all three general surgery positions at the hospital have been filled.
“The recruitment milestone represents an important step toward addressing staffing pressures that have contributed to temporary diversions of labour and birth services at URVH,” the release noted.
“This is wonderful news. The Minister, Dr. Dornan, told me about this last week. It is believed that once the surgeons have completed the requirements for C-sections, then there will be no further closures if obstetrics. That is providing that we continue to recruit in Anesthesiology,” said Bill Hogan, MLA for the Woodstock-Hartland area.
“This is a major step in the right direction towards providing quality health care for the citizens of the Upper River Valley. A great and exciting addition to our services. I am hopeful that it will not stop there and we will once again have a fully staffed hospital.”
Both new surgeons plan to undergo training for emergency and elective cesarean sections (C-sections), helping build additional physician capacity to support the ongoing delivery of labour and birth services. C-section coverage is an essential component of safe labour and birth services, requiring trained surgical and anesthesia teams to be available when needed.
“Successfully recruiting two general surgeons is a significant milestone for URVH and reflects the dedicated efforts of our leaders, recruitment teams, local physicians, and community partners,” said Dr. Martha Mills, Chief of Staff, Fredericton and Upper River Valley area.
“I would particularly like to recognize Dr. Liam Hickey, Chief of Surgery, for the leadership he provided throughout this recruitment effort. Having all three general surgery positions filled strengthens our ability to provide consistent care close to home for patients and families and helps build a stronger foundation for labour and birth services in the Upper River Valley region for years to come.”
Horizon is continuing to actively recruit anesthesia and operating room-trained nursing professionals to further strengthen labour and birth services, and support service stability.
“This recruitment success is an important step toward strengthening access to care for patients and families in the Upper River Valley region,” said Dr. Ken Gillespie, Physician Program Lead of Horizon’s Women and Children’s Health program.
“While more work remains, we are encouraged by this progress and will continue working with our teams and government partners to support sustainable local services now and into the future.”
