Updated guidance during temporary diversions of labour and birth services at Horizon’s Upper River Valley Hospital

(WATERVILLE) – Horizon Health Network (Horizon) wishes to provide the public and expectant families in the Upper River Valley area with updated guidance during temporary diversions of labour and delivery services at Horizon’s Upper River Valley Hospital (URVH).

As we continue in our efforts to recruit appropriate surgical, anesthesia and OR-trained nursing support to URVH, which are necessary to provide emergency caesarean sections, it is anticipated that occasional diversions will continue for the foreseeable future, with the latest taking place on Thursday, June 18 at 8 p.m. until Monday, June 22 at 8 a.m.

As is standard practice during these temporary diversions, Horizon’s clinical team has directly contacted every patient in the URVH service area who is 35 or more weeks pregnant. This direct outreach ensures that expectant patients and their families are informed and supported, with the opportunity to ask questions and collaborate with their care team on a plan that is right for them.

While Horizon continues to work to recruit and train the necessary physicians and staff, expectant families are asked to do the following:

• Work closely with their obstetrician or care provider to develop an individualized birth plan, including a contingency plan if services are temporarily unavailable at URVH.

• Even during a diversion, anyone who goes into labour suddenly or experiences an obstetrical emergency should call 911 immediately or proceed to the nearest emergency department. That includes URVH which is open 24 hours day.

• Patients should not attempt to drive themselves to the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital in Fredericton or any other facility if they feel it is unsafe to do so. When emergency transport is needed, Horizon will work to arrange ambulance transfer to the nearest facility with full labour and birth capability at no cost to the patient.

Patient safety remains Horizon’s top priority, which is why temporary diversions are implemented when sufficient staffing is not available to perform an emergency caesarean section.

Horizon recognizes the uncertainty and anxiety this situation can place on patients and families in the Upper River Valley and is reaching out to those people directly so they can plan appropriately and engage with their care provider.

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