CANMORE – At least two women were forced to go to Calgary to deliver their babies last Friday night (Feb. 3) after the Canmore General Hospital’s operating room was closed on the weekend due to a nursing shortage.
Dr. Brendan Flowers, a Canmore physician and owner of Mountain Maternity and Family Medicine, said hospital administration has informed the clinic the OR will be closed again this coming weekend, but will reopen Monday morning for the week.
He said all of the clinic’s patients over 36 weeks pregnant were advised of last weekend’s closure ahead of time, noting because of EMS difficulties and shortages, presenting to Canmore hospital first may only delay appropriate care.
“Unfortunately, two of our patients had to present at Foothills, and although they were understanding, they were sad and distraught they had to deliver at Foothills,” said Flowers.
“We do not want this outcome for our patients, and we are sorry that the stresses to the healthcare system have prompted this.”
For this coming weekend, all expecting moms over 24 weeks pregnant are asked to go to Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary instead of the Canmore hospital from 5 p.m. on Friday to 7:30 a.m. on Monday for any of their concerns to ensure patient care.
Alberta Health Services says full obstetrical services, including on weekends, are expected to resume at the Canmore hospital Feb. 13.
"The weekend diversion is necessary as the service cannot safely operate without qualified maternity and surgical staff onsite," according to a Feb. 9 statement.
Flowers said the clinic has been informed that the hospital is in the process of hiring an obstetrical nurse and OR nurse to get the operating room opened on weekends again.
“We’re hopeful this will be limited to a few weeks and that it will be resolved at the end of February at the latest – that’s what we’re hoping for,” he said.
Neighbouring Minerals Springs Hospital in Banff no longer offers labour and delivery services. In March 2013, the obstetrics services at Mineral Springs were moved to the hospital in Canmore.
Alberta Health Services (AHS) says there will be an update on the evolving situation later this week, perhaps as early as Thursday afternoon.
Earlier this week, James Wood, a spokesperson for AHS, said staffing challenges are not unique to Canmore, or Alberta, noting it is a national issue occurring in jurisdictions across the country.
He said AHS is also working with the government to build the nursing workforce overall, including signing new collective agreements for registered nurses with the United Nurses of Alberta and licensed practical nurses with the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees.
“AHS has responded to increased pressure on our workforce by utilizing multiple strategies, including targeted headhunting, as well as other broader recruitment approaches, including national and international campaigns – US, UK, Jamaica and the Philippines,” he said in an email.
Throughout Canada, nurses have been leaving in droves, exhausted and burnt out from working on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It has taken a significant health toll on nurses, resulting in many quitting their jobs.
At the Canmore hospital, nurses have been warned that vacation time may be limited this summer. While on-call nurses are paid double time when on shift, the on-call hourly rate of anywhere between $3.30 and $4.50 is a deterrent, as they have to be available to get to work within about 20 minutes of the call.
In the meantime, Flowers said if there are any OR or obstetrical nurses that are able and willing to help by working on weekends, to please reach out directly to Canmore General Hospital.
“I am still asking anyone who is interested in helping and joining the team to reach out directly to the hospital and email the hospital manager,” he said.
