Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / PML / Fraser Health indicated this week that it is currently looking to to hire two OB-GYNs at Chilliwack General Hospital. An obstetrician-gynecologist at CGH recently retired.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Chilliwack General Hospital

Fraser Health says it’s seeking 2 OB-GYNs to work at Chilliwack Hospital

Dec 9, 2022 | 9:44 AM

CHILLIWACK — Fraser Health confirmed this week that it is looking to hire two OB-GYNs at Chilliwack General Hospital following the recent retirement of one obstetrician-gynecologist who practiced there.

In response to an emailed inquiry, Fraser Health public affairs spokesperson Nick Eagland indicated the health authority currently has a job posting for two OB-GYNs.

“We are actively recruiting staff to fill obstetrician-gynecologist vacancies at the site and have posted for two permanent, full-time obstetrician-gynecologists on our website, Health Match BC and other recruiting sites,” Eagland wrote in a statement.

According to a posting on Fraser Health’s website, the health authority says it is looking for two OB-GYNs on a permanent full-time basis. A full FTE at CGH would include on-call work from home and 2-3 OR days per month; call frequency would typically consist of approximately 7-8 calls per month.

Fraser Health states that Chilliwack General Hospital delivers about 800 babies per year. OB practice is mainly consultative and the majority of low-risk deliveries are done by a family practice maternity group and midwives.

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Chilliwack General Hospital is a 131-bed, UBC-affiliated community hospital offering medical, surgical, obstetrics, psychiatry, and a regional eye centre, as well as 24/7 emergency services with 61,900 visits annually.

“Our hospital enjoys a very high level of support from our community with a very cohesive and supportive family practice physicians, midwife, nursing staff and specialty services,” Fraser Health wrote on its website describing Chilliwack General Hospital and the community. “Chilliwack is a thriving and growing community with excellent infrastructure for family life and endless opportunity for outdoor living and recreation.”

The anticipated start date is February 15 for the two successful OB-GYNs.

Eagland said patients at CGH shouldn’t see any service reductions despite the recent retirement of one OB-GYN at Chilliwack General Hospital.

“Our team of obstetrician-gynecologists at Chilliwack General Hospital is able to meet the needs of the community without disruption to care,” Eagland wrote in an email. “We will continue to re-evaluate those needs in the coming months to ensure there is minimal impact to our patients. We have a long-term plan in place to support our patients.”

Fraser Health appears to be proactive given the lack of OB-GYNs just a few years ago. A shortage of OB-GYNs at CGH led to a diversion of patients to Abbotsford Regional Hospital back in June 2019, prompting concern at the time from elected leaders in Chilliwack who were alarmed at the service reductions. More specifically, the maternity ward at CGH had been temporarily closed and expecting moms were being told to go to Abbotsford Regional Hospital instead, as of June 24, 2019.