Williams Lake, B.C., hospital resumes maternity services for Cariboo-area moms

WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. – Expectant mothers around Williams Lake, B.C., can once again deliver their babies closer to home.

Interior Health says maternity services at Cariboo Memorial Hospital in Williams Lake have resumed for low-risk deliveries.

Deliveries were suspended at the hospital two months ago due to a shortage of maternity nurses, forcing expectant mothers to travel about three hours south to Kamloops, or north to Prince George, as their due dates approached.

Low-risk deliveries, involving full-term pregnancies with minimal complications, will be offered at Cariboo Memorial.

The health authority says the hospital is also able to provide planned or emergency caesarean births.

Resumption of birthing services follows the hiring of two maternity nurses, with a third nurse due to arrive in May, while seven nurses within the hospital are being trained in maternity care and are expected to start their new duties in July. (CFJC)