Baby deliveries available in Bonnyville until July 11 when vacancy begins

Although they’ve bought a little more time, there is currently no resolution to recruiting an obstetrician in Bonnyville in the long-term.

A locum has been found which allows for babies to be delivered in Bonnyville until July 11 instead of mid-June.

A letter posted by the Bonnyville Primary Care Network and signed by Dr. van Deventer said there will be no obstetrical cover at the Bonnyville Health Centre after July 11.

The PCN Obstetrical Program at the Bonnyville Medical Clinic will still continue to offer primary obstetrical and postpartum care to prenatal patients after July 11, but deliveries and emergency obstetrical assessment won’t be accepted.

Until doctor shortages are solved, deliveries will be done in Cold Lake or St. Paul, as well as emergency obstetrics.

“We will discuss with you at your prenatal appointments at which facility you would like to deliver and then you will be referred to that obstetrical group for shared care at around 30 weeks of your pregnancy,” said Dr. van Deventer in the letter.

“We will provide you with a copy of your prenatal records after 24 weeks and we encourage you to keep this with you at all times.”

In April, Dr. Travis Webster that since the position has been open, there’s been zero applications.