Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) says it will be temporarily closing obstetrical services starting Saturday. Obstetrical services are the pregnancy, childbirth and post-birth care services provided by a hospital. From 7 a.m. Saturday until 7 a.m. Tuesday, the hospital says it will not be offering obstetrical services, but homebirth and community clinic assessments will be available to midwifery clients through their provider. In a post on social media, the hospital says “human resource challenges” are the cause of the temporary closure. GBGH says those who call into the obstetrical department during the closure will be advised to go to other nearby hospitals, such as Orillia Soldiers Memorial Hospital, Collingwood General & Marine Hospital, Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre in Barrie or Stevenson Memorial Hospital in Alliston. In the case of urgent pregnancy situations, the hospital says patients will be assessed in the emergency room and a best course of care will be determined. In the meantime, the hospital urges residents to turn to their family physician or midwifery provider with questions.
