Community News

HOSPITAL OPENS PRENATAL CLINIC

GBGH HOPEFUL MORE BABIES WILL BE DELIVERED LOCALLY

ANDREW MENDLER amendler@simcoe.com

Pregnant people in north Simcoe no longer need to leave the community to receive most types of prenatal care.

A prenatal clinic was slated to open June 20 at Georgian Bay General Hospital (GHGH) to provide high-quality, standardized care for people across the north Simcoe region.

"Through the establishment of the prenatal clinic, GBGH will be able to provide continuity of care to patients from the first trimester all the way to their delivery," said Dr. Chevy (Jan) Moreau, chief of obstetrics at GBGH. "In addition to providing prenatal care, the clinic also offers an opportunity for patients to meet the obstetrical team, tour the birthing unit, and have ongoing followup appointments with direct access to the hospital's diagnosticimaging and lab services."

The clinic, which operates Monday mornings, is staffed by a team of nurses and obstetrical physicians, including several local family physicians who regularly perform deliveries at the hospital.

The service will be located in the ambulatory-care department for its first few months of operation before being relocated to the birthing unit.

Patients with a primary-care provider can be referred to the clinic through their providers' office at around 12-14 weeks gestation. Those without a primary-care provide can self-refer at any time by filling out an online form at gbgh.on.ca.

"GBGH strives to always align the services we provide with the needs of the community," said chief of staff Dr. Vikram Ralhan. "By opening this clinic, GBGH will offer routine prenatal care close to home and, ideally, encourage more women to remain within our community to have their babies."

Annually, there are approximately 300 births that occur from GBGH's catchment area of Midland, Penetanguishene, Tiny, Tay, Christian Island, Georgian Bay Township and Springwater. Between April 1, 2021, and March 31, 2022, there were 138 births at GBGH, indicating there is a significant number of women travelling outside the region for birthing services.

GBGH officials estimate 90 per cent of births from the catchment occurring at other hospitals within the region could have been completed at GBGH.

NEWS

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2022-06-23T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-06-23T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://communitynews.pressreader.com/article/281582359307530

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