Michael Sather

You may be aware that the Fraser Health Authority is considering closing our pediatric (child and youth) beds at Ridge Meadows Hospital and possibly our obstetric (care of women prior to, during and after birth) ward. I have been told that our pediatric beds could be replaced by an “observation unit” which, I assume, means that a parent going to RMH with their sick child would see their child assessed and sent home or referred to another hospital. Apparently the FHA is looking at consolidating pediatric and obstetric services in Royal Columbian, Surrey Memorial and Abbotsford hospitals. This is a real concern for parents in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows. Getting a sick child to RCH or SMH in a timely fashion can be a problem, especially during morning and afternoon rush hours. This is a health and safety issue and parents are right to be concerned.

Closing or significantly reducing our obstetric services would also be problematic. Pregnant women need to see their obstetrician on a regular basis. After giving birth they may need to take their child to the obstetrician as well. Having to go outside the community would be time consuming and would add more stress to families, many of whom are already dealing with long commutes to work.

Losing pediatric and obstetric services would have a cascading effect on services in our area. Without obstetrics, in particular, there would be fewer surgeries and reduced need for anesthetic services. This makes it harder to keep anesthesiologists at our hospital and would affect all surgeries.

I am hosting a public forum for residents to express their concerns about these proposed changes. It is tentatively scheduled for the evening of June 23.