White Rock maternity unit to close for second time this month

Fraser Health says that the maternity unit at White Rock’s Peace Arch Hospital will be temporarily closed yet again this month for four days.

The health authority says that a “temporary gap of obstetrician-gynecologists coverage” requires the hospital to divert its maternity patients away.

The closure will take effect from Thursday, Jan. 22, at 8 a.m. until Monday, Jan. 26, at 8 a.m.

It will mark the second time this January that the health authority has had to divert patients seeking maternity care in White Rock.

Patients, especially those in labour or with pregnancy concerns, are asked to call the maternity unit before going to the hospital.

Fraser Health’s staff will then direct patients to “the appropriate hospital for care.”

Peace Arch Hospital’s maternity unit was already closed for four days earlier this month.

Fraser Health has been having issues with OBGYN scheduling at its hospital since early December.

In Maple Ridge, Ridge Meadows Hospital’s maternity ward had to temporarily close for four days until Monday.

The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of B.C. called the current situation a “crisis point” that has affected the entire province.

It warned the government already in October last year by writing a letter, warning of a looming crisis if certain measures are not put in place.