New B.C. parents face uncertainty over maternity ward diversions fuelled by doctor shortage

Expectant parents in B.C. are facing uncertainty over where they will give birth, as ongoing doctor shortages have forced repeated maternity ward diversions.

WHITE ROCK, B.C. -- Expectant parents across parts of Metro Vancouver are facing uncertainty and added stress over where they will give birth, as ongoing doctor shortages have forced repeated maternity ward diversions within the Fraser Health region.

Fraser Health, which serves more than two million people in B.C., says a lack of obstetricians has made it difficult to maintain full maternity coverage in communities such as White Rock and Maple Ridge.

“We’re not able to complete a full 24-7 call schedule at those sites,” said Dr. Darryl Burrows, regional medical director for maternity care. “In order to provide safe and quality care, we need to divert some patients at certain times during the month to alternative sites.”

‘Unnecessary stress’

For White Rock’s Nicoleta Maan, who is just two weeks away from her due date, the situation has added another worry at an already emotional time. “Stress, unnecessary stress for us as a family,” she said.

Maan and her partner live just one minute from Peace Arch Hospital in White Rock, where they had planned to deliver. But a recent five-day maternity diversion at the hospital, and the possibility of further disruptions, has left them unsure whether that will be possible.

Fraser Health has also announced another planned maternity diversion at Ridge Meadows Hospital in Maple Ridge, scheduled from Feb. 12 to 17.

Burrows attributed the shortages to a combination of physician retirements, rapid population growth and fewer family doctors choosing to practise maternity care.

“We just want to sincerely apologize for the disruption and the stress it may cause patients,” he said. “This is supposed to be one of the most joyous occasions in a family’s lifetime.”

Opposition critics say the repeated diversions highlight broader problems in the province’s health-care system.

“Health care for women in this province has never been worse than it is today,” said Surrey-White Rock MLA Trevor Halford. “The fact that we are seeing diversion after diversion in maternity wards is beyond concerning.”

Maan, who moved to Canada eight years ago, says she still hopes to deliver close to home but is preparing for last-minute changes. “We have everything in the car already,” she said. “If something happened, we go.”

Fraser Health says recruitment efforts are in full swing, with one new doctor recently hired and another expected soon. But in the short term, the stress and uncertainty will continue for families who are expecting any day.