Reopening of Bathurst obstetrics unit delayed another month

A prolonged nursing shortage has delayed the reopening of the obstetrics unit at the Chaleur Regional Hospital in Bathurst, says Gilles Lanteigne, president and CEO of Vitalit Health Network.

The unit was supposed to reopen this Monday, but that's been changed toFeb. 4.

"We'll open three or four weeks later than we had anticipated,"Lanteignesaid. "We're still struggling with nurse shortages."

Lanteignesaid four nurses were supposed to return to work but only one is able to do that.

The unit was first closed in October but reopened for two weeks before being closed again in November, this time permanently until staffing was addressed and the unit made more functional.

Lanteigne said the work to make the obstetrics unit more functional has been completed, and two new nurses have completed 90 per cent of their training in Miramichiand Moncton.

"Now the nurses need to get familiar with the unit but because we're not opening, it's going to delay that a little bit."

Two more nurses will also go for training inobstetrics so the unit will be on more solid ground with staffing,Lanteignesaid.

"We had anticipated all these nurses coming back. In fact, had three of them come back out of the four we would have been OK."

Critical service

With theobstetrics unit a critical service for the Acadian Peninsula and Chaleurregion,Lanteignesaid the shortage of staff is difficult to deal with.

"We're extremely disappointed."

Expectant mothers will need to continue delivering their babies inCampbelltonRegional Hospital orMiramichiRegional Hospital for at least another month, he said.

"If there is an emergency we can deal with it.We're obviously disappointedfor the moms and the families."

VitalitHealth Network said pregnant women with questions can call 544-2310 for more information on how to proceed during the temporary closure.