Northern Health secures labour and delivery coverage in Prince George

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Northern Health has found coverage for the gaps in the labour and delivery department in Prince George. 

According to a 9:30 a.m. Facebook post on August 1st, Northern Health has resolved specialist coverage gaps anticipated in August and September at the University Hospital of Northern British Columbia’s labour and delivery department. 

“While we have secured coverage for the near term, we continue to monitor the situation closely and plan proactively for the months ahead,” Northern Health wrote. 

On July 21st, Northern Health warned residents of a shortage of obstetrical specialists in the region, and stated individuals may be transferred from Prince George to another centre in the province.

Shortly thereafter, politicians began raising the alarm about the state of maternity care in the northeast, including Peace River North and Peace River South MLAs. 

Dawson Creek has not had an obstetrics and gynecology specialist since May, meaning residents needing specialized maternity care were limited in their options in the northeast. 

There has been no update on shortages in labour and delivery specialists in the northeast, meaning residents living within the Northern Health area may still be transferred to Prince George.