Banff baby ward closes due to nurse shortage

Banff baby ward closes due to nurse shortage
By Michelle Lang, Calgary Herald
canada.com

Excerpts:

Expectant mothers in Banff are outraged after the local hospital confirmed it's temporarily suspending obstetric services-- a decision that could lead one local doctor to stop delivering babies if the move becomes permanent.

Banff Mineral Springs Hospital officials announced Tuesday that a severe nursing shortage is forcing them to put the facility's obstetrics pro-gram on hold and send women to give birth at hospitals in Canmore or Calgary.

Alberta Health Services said last week the program would be suspended for about three months, but hospital officials now say it's not clear when Banff will begin delivering babies again.

"There is no end date to the suspension, it's not necessarily three months," said Cindy Mulherin, executive director of the hospital, noting the program could restart before or after that period.

"It's all dependent on our ability to acquire skilled nurses. We're not going to compromise patient safety."

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