People in Banff trying to save local obstetrics

Some people in Banff, Alta.got together on Thursday night to figure out ways to reverse a decision to close obstetrics services at the Banff Mineral Springs Hospital.

Alberta Health Services and Covenant Health, which operates the hospital in Banff,announced in Decemberthat all obstetrics services would be moved to the hospital in Canmore effective March this year.

Some mothers raised concerns about the stress of being away from extended family.

"Those kinds of intimate supports have a direct benefit to the labour and when you lose them, you lose a lot," said Dr. Michael Klein who has delivered babies for 30 years.

Resident Kristin Wiggins said, because she chose to live in asmall town, she expects to travel for specialist services but not for what she considers basic services.

"You should be able to have your baby, able to receive emergency medical care and you should be able to have end-of-life care and die in the community that you live in, " said Wiggins.

AHS response

In a writtenstatement released on Thursday, Alberta Health Services said it isgoing ahead with the consolidation of obstetrics in Canmore.

The department says that decision was made after consultations with 80 stakeholders in Banff and Canmore.

Covenant Health said in December, most of the babies born in the Bow Valley in 2012 were delivered at the Canmore Hospital.