Horizon’s Upper River Valley Hospital unable to offer Labour and Birth services for remainder of week, starting TOMORROW

WATERVILLE – Labour and Birth services at Horizon’s Upper River Valley Hospital (URVH) will be temporarily unavailable for multiple days this week due to ongoing staffing challenges.

Beginning Wednesday, March 16 at 7 p.m. through to 8 a.m. on Monday, March 21,pregnant individuals who would normally deliver their babies at URVH will need to travel to Horizon’s Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital (DECRH) in Fredericton.

This most recent impact on Labour and Birth services at URVH is due to a combination of a significant number of nurses who are unable to report to work because of COVID-19, as well as a lack of surgical coverage for emergency caesarian sections (C-section).

All expectant individuals that are 35 weeks pregnant and over will be contacted by nursing staffahead of these temporary changes taking effect.

In order to receive safe and quality care, it is important forallexpectant individuals in the Upper River Valley area to be aware of this change in service.

We fully understand this situation may be concerning and inconvenient to families who are expecting.

Please be assured all delivering individuals and their babies will receive safe and quality care at any Horizon facility.

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