Labour and Delivery Services to Resume at James Paton Memorial Regional Health Centre
Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) Health Services announced today that labour and delivery services will resume at James Paton Memorial Regional Health Centre (JPMRHC) in Gander on Monday, March 18, 2024 at 8:00 a.m.
“We are pleased to share that appropriate services and staffing are now in place at James Paton Memorial Regional Health Centre which will enable us to provide safe and sustainable obstetrical care,” said David Diamond, CEO, NL Health Services. “We recognize that the diversion of obstetrical services has been challenging for residents of Gander and surrounding areas and have been working diligently to fulfill our commitment to return this health-care service closer to home for expecting parents.”
Three of four obstetricians are in place at the hospital. The midwifery and nursing team has also been established and are currently supporting clients. In addition, the required renovations on the third floor at the hospital and relocation of pediatrics and gynecology patients to the obstetrics unit are now complete. Given current challenges with health human resources, we are committed to continuing to work diligently to prevent any intermittent service disruptions of obstetrical services that could arise in the future due to unforeseen periods of unavailability.
“We would like to thank our dedicated physicians, health-care professionals and community partners for their ongoing commitment to build a safe, quality service for our patients,” said Joanne Pelley, Chief Operating Officer – Central Zone and Provincial Chief Nursing Officer, NL Health Services. “We also thank our dedicated obstetrical team at Central Newfoundland Regional Health Centre in Grand Falls-Windsor for their support in maintaining obstetrical services within the Central Zone. Upon reopening of the unit in Gander, labour and delivery services will be offered at both James Paton Memorial Regional Health Centre and Central Newfoundland Regional Health Centre.”
“We are delighted to see the resumption of obstetrical services at James Paton Memorial Hospital. Improving access to quality care is priority as we reimagine the health system. The renovations to the hospital and the recruitment of the obstetricians, nursing team, and midwives are another example of our commitment to improving access, ” said the Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Health and Community Services.
“The reinstatement of sustainable labour and delivery services at James Paton Memorial Regional Health Centre has been long awaited for families and health care workers in my district and within the surrounding area. Providing access to care closer to home will reduce stress on parents and allow them to fully focus on a healthy delivery,” said the Honourable John Haggie, MHA for the District of Gander. “Thank you to the members of the Central Health Action Committee, the Town of Gander, the Department of Health and Community Services, and all of the health care providers involved in making this a reality.”
Patients seeking obstetrical services prior to the March 18, 2024 reopening are advised to continue to proceed to the Central Newfoundland Regional Health Centre, in Grand Falls-Windsor. If delivery is imminent, please proceed to the nearest emergency centre for assessment.
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About NL Health Services
Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) Health Services brings together five former separate health entities – Eastern Health, Central Health, Western Health, Labrador-Grenfell Health, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Health Information. The creation of a provincial health authority was announced following recommendations from Health Accord NL.
NL Health Services is responsible for delivering health and community services to more than 528,000 people living in Newfoundland and Labrador and employs over 22,000 people. NLHealthServices.ca