Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) says it is temporarily closed for obstetrical services. Obstetrical services are the pregnancy, childbirth and post-birth care services provided by a hospital. The hospital says the closures are due to a shortage of obstetrician/gynecologists (OB/GYN) and family physicians with the obstetrical training required to safely operate the department. “We understand that having to alter birth plans, travel to another hospital, or face uncertainty about where care will be provided can add unnecessary stress during such an important moment in a family’s life,” Matthew Lawson, GBGH President and CEO, and Dr. Vikram Ralhan, GBGH Chief of Staff state in a release. “We regret the challenges these interruptions have created.” Officials say the hospital is experiencing the same challenges like many hospitals across the province and country of facing shortages of specialized physicians. However, staff say they have been “aggressively recruiting” OB/GYN physicians to join the organization, including outreach across Ontario, Canada and the world. The team is searching for permanent, full-time and short-term doctors. Citing “human resources challenges” the hospital shared a social media post, warning that the closure started on Monday and will last until 7 a.m. Sunday. “Midwifery clients are to page their midwifery team as usual,” the social media post reads. “Homebirth and community/clinic assessments will still be available to midwifery clients through their provider,” the hospital adds. In the post, GBGH says those who call in to the obstetrical department will be advised to go to other hospitals nearby, such as Orillia Soldiers Memorial Hospital, Collingwood General and Marine Hospital, Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre and Stevenson Memorial Hospital. “If patients attend the GBGH Emergency Department due to an urgent situation regarding a pregnancy, they will be assessed in the Emergency Room to determine the best course of care,” the hospital says. In the meantime, the hospital encourages residents to reach out to their family physician or midwifery provider with questions. With files from CTV’s Jocelyn Martin
