Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / PML / Fraser Health has confirmed that the maternity unit at Chilliwack General Hospital will be closed for approximately 10 days in May and June, which will require expecting mothers to drive from Chilliwack and the surrounding communities (e.g., Cultus Lake, Agassiz, Harrison, and Hope) to drive to Abbotsford Hospital to have their babies safely delivered.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Chilliwack Hospital maternity unit closu

Fraser Health confirms maternity unit closures of 10 days in May, June at CGH

Apr 20, 2023 | 10:14 AM

CHILLIWACK — A Fraser Health spokesperson has confirmed there will be sporadic closures of the maternity ward at Chilliwack General Hospital in May and June for as many as 10 days.

Fraser Health Authority spokesperson Nick Eagland said in an email Wednesday night (Apr. 19) that they are aware of sporadic gaps in obstetrical coverage in May and June at CGH and patients may need to head to Abbotsford Regional Hospital to have their babies delivered.

“We are aware of sporadic gaps in obstetrical coverage at Chilliwack General Hospital on four days in May and six days in June that may lead to us needing to implement temporary maternity diversions to nearby hospitals to ensure the safety of mothers and their babies,” Eagland said in a statement. “We continue to work with other Fraser Health hospitals and our health authority partners to cover any future diversions.”

Eagland says temporary diversions are implemented as part of Fraser Health’s regular operating procedures in many of the services it provides.

“They are intended to provide the best and safest care for patients at any time using our extensive network of hospitals and health care services,” Eagland said. “Ahead of any temporary diversion periods, we reach out to all impacted patients directly via their physicians or midwives to ensure they are aware of the potential for redirection of care. Fraser Health is committed to ensuring babies, children and their parents have access to emergency and urgent care when they need it.”

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Dr. Alison Henry, a Chilliwack family doctor who delivers babies at Chilliwack General Hospital, first shared with Fraser Valley Today news about the impending maternity unit closures in May, not Fraser Health.

Fraser Health says an obstetrician is expected to join the two existing obstetrician-gynecologists at Chilliwack General Hospital later this year. At one point in early 2022, CGH had four obstetricians, but one retired last year and another one has left, or is due to leave soon, dropping the roster to two. The expected addition will bring the obstetricians to three at CGH.

“We are pleased to share that we have successfully recruited an obstetrician who is currently undergoing the on-boarding process,” Eagland said. “We anticipate they will start providing care at Chilliwack General Hospital in June 2023.”