Doctor hits out at threat to baby births in Banff

Obstetrics consolidated in Canmore

Babies will no longer be born at the Banff hospital come next spring, after an Alberta Health Services decision to consolidate obstet- rics at the Canmore General Hospital.

But one doctor still delivering in the mountain community is against the move, saying it’s a first step in losing the town’s community hospital.

“This is a huge loss for the Banff community. They are losing their community hospital, because delivering babies is an important community service,” said Dr. Jane Fowke, a family doctor with expertise in obstetrics.

“If obstetrics goes, then families will go. They won’t want to be in a community that doesn’t support young families. And that hurts our sense of community as a whole.”

AHS confirmed this week that starting March 25, obstetrics services will be consolidated at the Canmore General Hospital at an expanded specialty unit for women’s health.

Officials argue that the larger, newer clinic will provide better health care services for women before, during and after delivery.

“Women have access to many services there,” said Cindy Mulherin, executive director for Banff Mineral Springs Hospital. “It is a collaborative, multi-disciplined approach with pediatricians and obstetricians, gynecologists.”

It’s expected Canmore will deliver over 300 babies by the end of this year, she added.

Mineral Springs saw an average of 150 babies delivered per year, but since the 2011 opening of the new Canmore clinic, births in Banff have decreased significantly.

“I think it’s a matter of more women choosing to go to Canmore, or just following their doctors there,” Mulherin said.

Only 46 babies have been born so far this year in Banff, although Fowke was expecting to add to that total late Tuesday after speaking to the Herald while taking a short break during the early stages of a delivery.

“I plan to fight this decision. I think’s it’s bad for the community. I’m just looking at all my options right now,” Fowke said.

AHS officials say that because Banff has seen a decline in the number of deliveries, it won’t be enough for family doctors with skills in obstetrics to keep up their expertise.

By relocating all obstetrics services to Canmore by March 25, staff and physicians will be able to use specialized skills more often with an increased number of deliveries — vital for patient quality, safety, staffing and sustainability. The drive from Banff to Canmore takes about 20 minutes.

AHS says a number of programs and services in the Bow Valley have already been combined, based on planning that goes back to 1995, creating centres of specialty at several sites. Part of that plan will include consolidating plastic surgery and vascular surgery programs at Mineral Springs Hospital.

As well, Mulherin added, emergency room services will continue to be an important part of the Banff medical facility.

And in particular, if a woman who is about to deliver is still in Banff, and in need of emergency care, the Mineral Springs Hospital will be available to help her 24-hours, seven days a week, she added.

AHS spokesman Bruce Conway noted the Banff obstetrics closure is dissimilar to a temporary closure in Brooks in 2009 when the Brooks Health Centre discontinued obstetric services due to a shortage of physicians.

Obstetric services resumed there in July 2010.

Early in 2011, with the help of the Brooks and District Health Foundation, AHS renovated obstetric space at the Brooks Health Centre, investing $350,000 to modernize three labour and delivery suites and convert six other semi-private rooms to support family-centred care.