Maternity services will continue for moms already expecting

Although the Medicine Hat Family Medicine Maternity Clinic is closing July 15, arrangements have been made for services to continue for mothers already expecting by then.

Last month it was announced that any woman who is pregnant and has a due date before July 15 could still come to the FMMC but beyond that time frame woman were asked to see their family doctor.

Dr. Gerry Prince, lead physician at the FMMC, told the News that Alberta Health Services had discussions with the College of Physicians and Surgeons Alberta and came to an arrangement to continue to make services available, even if the patient’s due date is after July 15.

“In what I believe is a rare exception, the CPSA has approved an AHS proposal to guarantee that once FMMC operations ceased, all women not yet delivered will be provided with suitable prenatal and delivery care,” said Prince.

A spokesperson for CPSA told the News the only role it had in the arrangement was “advising around our Standards or Practice.”

In an emailed statement from AHS a spokesperson said they want to reassure pre and post-natal patients in Medicine Hat and surrounding area that care will continue within the community.

“Patients will continue (to) be connected with a physician through the current Family Medical Maternity Clinic at this time.”

Specific details about the new model of service is not available yet but will be revealed “as soon as details are in place.”

“This future model for service is the result of hard work and collaboration between the Palliser Primary Care Network, FMMC physicians and AHS. We want to acknowledge and thank our partners for helping to make this happen,” reads an AHS statement.

AHS says low-risk obstetrical care will continue to be available through family physicians, obstetricians and midwives. High-risk obstetrical care will also continue to be available through the AHS Women’s and Children’s Health Program, which includes obstetrics and gynecology.

“Thank you to the mothers and families in the Medicine Hat area. We understand the concerns that uncertainty over the future of obstetrical care in the community has caused in recent months, and we truly appreciate your patience,” reads the AHS statement.

Prince says the most important aspect is that the FMMC is now able to accept all pregnant patients regardless of the due date. He says local physicians continue to work on a community system to replace the FMMC.

The FMMC has been in place for the last 17 years. Funding for its operation in the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital was withdrawn last year.