Fraser Health says it will be diverting pregnant patients from 2 hospitals over the holidays

Two hospitals in B.C.’s Lower Mainland are warning the public they’ll be turning away pregnant patients going into labour on certain dates.

Fraser Health is warning families expecting newborns over the holiday season that they may be diverted away from Peace Arch and Ridge Meadows hospitals to give birth.

The health authority said a temporary shortage of obstetrician-gynecologists was the reason for the change and that affected patients will be sent to other facilities.

“We want patients to feel secure,” said Dr. Darren Lazare, Fraser Health’s regional head for obstetrics and gynecology. “We apologize for the stress that this might cause.”

People who will be impacted have already been informed, Fraser Health said, adding that patients who are in labour or have a pregnancy concern should first call the maternity unit, which will direct them to the appropriate site.

“If it is an emergency, patients should call 911,” the health authority said.

“We are working closely with our physician group to fill the gaps in coverage and are proactively sharing this update with the community to ensure our patients and their families have the information they need. We know this update may cause concern for our patients and families and apologize for any added stress this may bring as they prepare for their baby’s arrival.”

Fraser Health said it has recruited six obstetrician-gynecologists to work at hospitals in its coverage area over the last year, and one physician is scheduled to join the Peace Arch Hospital team in the spring.

“Within the Fraser Health Authority catchment, we’ve had explosive growth and as a result, more babies and so, it’s hard to keep up with that,” said Lazarre. “We are looking to recruit. We are actively recruiting, across the province, across the country and across North America.”

Additional updates on the situation will be published on the health authority’s website, which now has a dedicated page for the maternity situation in the White Rock-South Surrey and Ridge Meadows communities.

“While temporary diversions are part of our regular operating procedure, we work diligently to minimize their use in our hospitals whenever possible,” Fraser Health said. “When we are unable to fill gaps in physician coverage, we reluctantly implement temporary diversions to ensure the safety of our patients.”

With files from CTV News Vancouver’s Penny Daflos