PAH maternity ward not at risk: Smith
Vienna Voth, the poster child for Peace Arch Hospital and Community Health Foundation’s maternity campaign.
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Updated: August 06, 2009 4:37 PM
Peace Arch Hospital’s maternity program will not be adversely affected by proposed budget cuts, contrary to information obtained and leaked by the NDP last week.
Though the leaked communications document suggested pediatric and maternity services at low-volume hospitals – such as PAH – could be on the chopping block as Fraser Health looks at ways to solve a $160-million deficit, Peace Arch Hospital and Community Health Foundation executive director Jackie Smith says expectant mothers on the Peninsula needn’t worry.
“We work with Fraser Health very closely, and I’ve spoken with them (since last week’s reports). It was a different kind of conversation this time, but they’ve said they will continue to support our maternity project, and will continue to work with us,” Smith said Thursday. “The message was very clear.”
NDP health critic Adrian Dix – who last week said the Liberals are delaying planned cuts to minimize criticism – is on vacation and could not be reached for comment.
Smith said the leak caused a stir locally.
“For us, it was unfortunate that the leaked document speculated (on maternity closures) because it caused a lot of angst in our community – from our doctors and mothers, too,” Smith told Peace Arch News.
“We got one e-mail from an expecting mother who said, ‘Now where will I go?’”
The foundation is in the midst of it’s Oh Baby! fundraising campaign, which aims to raise funds for construction of a $5.3-million maternity ward.
Construction is expected to begin in the fall, and that projected start date has not changed, Smith reiterated.
“The campaign is still moving ahead, and it’s going very well,” she said.
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