WELLINGTON COUNTY – Health care services related to pregnancy and child birth will be redirected from North Wellington Health Care (NWHC) hospitals due to a shortage of nurses trained in that field.
A press release announced Palmerston and District Hospital and Mount Forest’s Louise Marshall Hospital will temporarily redirect obstetrical (OB) services starting June 6 until Sept. 1.
Angela Stanley, president and CEO of NWHC, said in a press release this change is necessary as they deal with challenges in recruiting OB trained nurses to fill vacancies.
“While this temporary closure will impact less than 10 of our patients between the two hospital sites, we recognize the impact this will have on our communities,” Stanley said in the release.
Kate Kobbes, VP clinical services and chief nursing executive at NWHC, explained in the release they have been able to recruit some new nurses but training in OB is an issue due to low birth volumes seen at the hospitals.
OB patients are asked to check with their physicians to determine the best care plan. Stanley stated neighbouring hospitals and midwifery groups have been notified for the potential for increase in patients.
NWHC has launched a new recruitment campaign for new nurses, physicians and healthcare providers.
