ST. PAUL – Obstetrics and surgical services are unavailable at the St. Therese – St. Paul Healthcare Centre until Monday.
Due to a lack of anaesthetist coverage and surgical services, the hospital will be unavailable from 3 p.m. on July 21 until 3 p.m. on July 24.
“To ensure the safety of all patients, no obstetrics services will be offered at the St. Therese-St. Paul Healthcare Centre during time of no coverage,” according to a July 20 Alberta Health Services (AHS) memorandum.
The emergency department will manage imminent deliveries, and will carry transfers if needed. EMS will remain available, and AHS says it is working with alternate healthcare sites to provide additional support to patients if required.
AHS said it is working to ensure expectant parents have the needed support, such as putting a plan in place where they can deliver their babies safely. “Patient safety is of utmost importance to us, and we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause,” said AHS.
“We only make these decisions when absolutely necessary. We are grateful for the support of surrounding healthcare centres and medical staff and would like to thank the community for their patience and understanding during this time.”
