LAC LA BICHE - For almost a year — since Feb. 13, 2023 — there have been “temporary” service disruptions at the surgery and obstetrics department at the William J. Cadzow Hospital in Lac La Biche. This has meant no surgeries or c-sections have been performed on site. According to Alberta Health Services information, there is no timeline for when the temporary disruption will be lifted.
The OB and surgical disruptions are in addition to the dozens of service disruptions in the hospital’s emergency department that have taken place over the last two years due to a lack of on-site doctors.
According to the Alberta Health Services (AHS) officials, the reason for the Obstetrics and Surgical disruptions is also due to staffing, describing it as a temporary staff shortage brought about by illness, vacancies, as well as staff members who were either on leave or on vacation.
Lana Hataley, the senior AHS operating officer for the province’s north zone, said the provincial health authority continues to work to ensure that all expectant mothers have the pre-natal and post-natal supports they need, including having a plan in place for where they will safely deliver their babies.
Just 15 babies in 2023
“At this time, obstetrical services are limited to low-risk patients at the William J. Cadzow- Lac La Biche Healthcare Centre. Patients with higher level care needs requiring C-sections or surgical services will be diverted to surrounding facilities to ensure they continue to have access to the services they need,” Hataley explained, adding that in 2023, there were 15 babies born at the William J. Cadzow Healthcare Centre, which, she says, is fewer than normal.
Hataley said AHS continues to recruit for physicians to fill vacancies in communities across Alberta, including Lac La Biche. The recruitment plan for Lac La Biche includes physicians with general practice anesthesia (GPA) skills.
She added that AHS will continue to keep the community informed on its work to enhance obstetrics services in Lac La Biche.
