Central Health would like to advise that effective at 8:00am on December 28, 2020, obstetrical and pediatric services at James Paton Memorial Regional Health Centre (JPMRHC) in Gander will be temporarily diverted to Central Newfoundland Regional Health Centre in Grand Falls-Windsor. Central Health will provide updates as and when the situation changes.
The reason for the diversion is related to a number of factors, including current vacancies, maternity leave, illness and an inability to secure sufficient locum coverage to sustain safe and reliable services at two sites. Central Health is working diligently to provide a solution to the situation and is pursuing all avenues to resolve the matter.
The organization has been successful in its recruitment efforts towards ensuring high quality, safe, and reliable obstetrical and pediatric service delivery within Central Health which preserves work-life balance and prevents burnout of health care providers. It is important that the services are sustained with locum support until the new recruits arrive. High quality, safe, and reliable services at JMPRHC will be established at the earliest opportunity.
Despite this diversion, Midwives will continue to be supported within their scope of practice standards, and to allow for Midwifery services, including labor and delivery, to be offered safely at JPMRHC for their clients who are currently availing of these services.
Obstetrical patients who feel they may be in labour are asked to proceed directly to the admitting department at the Central Newfoundland Regional Health Center in Grand Falls-Windsor. If delivery is imminent, pregnant women in labour who live closer to Gander should proceed to the nearest emergency centre for assessment.
If you have any questions in this regard, please contact your obstetrical care provider.
For questions regarding your health, please call 811. For emergency assistance please 911. Thank you for your understanding, cooperation and assistance in this matter.
Media contact:
Gayle St. Croix, Director of Communications
(709) 572 1165 Gayle.StCroix@centralhealth.nl.ca
