There is concern over a letter sent to pregnant women in the Tri-Counties from the Nova Scotia Health Authority.
The letter warns of a shortage of anaesthesiologists in Yarmouth and to be prepared in case they have to go to Bridgewater or Kentville to deliver.
Argyle-Barrington MLA Chris d’Entremont says expecting families can no longer count on the Yarmouth Regional Hospital to deliver babies.
“This letter is basically telling pregnant mothers, pregnant families that they might have to make other arrangements to go to Bridgewater or Kentville to have their babies and that’s unacceptable.”
He says the health system is truly in a crisis and the Liberal government must be accountable.
“You never know what might happen during that delivery, so you need to have anaesthesiologists on board so that you can either do c-sections or there might be some other issues that have to be dealt with.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Cheryl Pugh is the Western Zone Co-lead for the Medical Executive Director and the Western Zone Lead for Women and Children’s Health Program.
She says the letter is simply a precaution.
“This is a very real possibility. However, at this time, we have coverage until the end of May for 24 hour, 7 day a week anesthesia provision of service.”
Dr. Pugh says they have coverage plans in place.
“We have locums, which are coming in to provide service in the times when we’re short and we’re very happy to say we’ve had a success with a recruitment for an individual who is coming from outside of Canada and we’re hoping he’ll be here beginning of May.”
She says they are extensively recruiting and are doing their best to get back to full coverage as quickly as possible.
Reported by Sean MacLellan
