With expectant mothers warned they may be diverted from Ridge Meadows Hospital to deliver their babies, Maple Ridge East MLA Lawrence Mok is blasting the province’s handling of health care.
The first-term Conservative MLA issued a statement after Fraser Health announced maternity diversions last week.
“Expectant mothers in Maple Ridge should never have to worry about being turned away from their own hospital. Yet the continued OBGYN shortage at Ridge Meadows Hospital now means local families may be diverted to other communities during one of the most important moments of their lives. This is simply unacceptable,” said Mok.
“For the past several months, residents have raised concerns about gaps in maternity care. Monday’s notice confirms that the system is stretched beyond its limits,” he added. “Temporary diversions may be routine for Fraser Health, but they are not routine for families stuck facing longer travel times, increased stress, and uncertainty during labour.”
Last Saturday, Dec. 6, the Fraser Health Authority announced that due to a shortage of obstetrician-gynecologist physicians at Ridge Meadows Hospital on select dates over the holiday season, women in labour who had planned to give birth there may be guided to another maternity site to ensure they receive safe, uninterrupted care. Peace Arch Hospital in White Rock is in the same situation.
Patients who are registered to deliver their babies at Ridge Meadows or Peace Arch Hospitals have been contacted by their care provider, so they know what to expect.
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Mok said this is not a new issue.
“The NDP provincial government has repeatedly failed to recruit and retain the specialists our growing community urgently needs,” said the first-term MLA. “Maple Ridge families deserve stable, reliable maternity services close to home, not last-minute contingency plans.
“I am calling on the Ministry of Health to immediately address this shortage and propose a plan to restore full maternity coverage at Ridge Meadows Hospital.”