Horizon Health blames temporary changes on lack of emergency c-section care
Expectant Upper River Valley mothers will be forced to travel to Fredericton over the next two and a half months to deliver their babies.
In a media release on Nov. 14, Horizon Health announced the temporary suspension of the Upper River Valley Hospital’s labour and delivery services between Nov. 17 and Jan. 31.
The loss of the services will require expectant mothers who would typically deliver their babies at URVH in Waterville to travel to Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital Fredericton.
While delivering a pledge to strengthen URVH’s labour and birth services over the long term, Horizon president and CEO Margaret Melanson explained unexpected staffing issues over the next few months required the temporary discontinuation of the services.
Horizon explained the inability to provide emergency caesarian sections (C-Sections) forced the changes.
“We know how important it is for families to welcome their babies close to home, surrounded by trusted, familiar health care provider,” said Melanson. “We are dedicated to strengthening labour and birth services at URVH as soon as possible to support our community.”
Horizon explained that even anticipated low-risk pregnancies, which appear not to require a C-section, must travel to the DECRH for labour and birth, noting pregnancy-related issues and emergencies can quickly arise during childbirth.
Horizon said URVH nursing staff contacted all individuals in the URVH service area who are 35 weeks pregnant and over.
“We are committed to providing all pregnant New Brunswickers with safe, high-quality care,” said Dr. Ash McLellan, Medical Director, Fredericton and Upper River Valley area.
Horizon acknowledges these changes are a significant concern to expectant families.
“Please be assured that all pregnant individuals and their babies will receive safe and quality care at any Horizon facility,” Horizon explained in its media release.
Horizon said URVH serves up to 500 patients annually and supported 206 births and 40 emergency C-sections in 2023.
Recognizing the value of labour and birth services at the URVH for staff, physicians, patients, families, and the community, Horizon said it recently conducted a community engagement process to inform future planning and decision-making.
Horizon provided a link to the engagement report at Maternity Services at Upper River Valley Hospital | Let’s Talk Horizon
The engagement report determined that medical staff, patients, and the general community hold dependable labour and birth services at URVH at a high value.
The report also identified staffing and resources as critical to ongoing sustainability.
Participants in the workshops also identified collaboration with community health centres and services as a vital part of ensuring the robust delivery of services in the future.
