A western New Brunswick hospital is finally getting the surgical staff it needs. The Upper River Valley Hospital in Waterville just hired two new general surgeons. This move comes after months of staffing shortages forced the facility to divert labour and delivery patients to other hospitals.

According to a report from CBC News, the Horizon Health Network confirmed this is the first time in a decade that all three general surgeon positions at the hospital are full.

Relief for Expecting Parents

If you live in the Upper River Valley region, you know the recent service disruptions caused significant stress. The hospital diverted maternity patients multiple times since April. Horizon advised pregnant patients to create contingency plans and avoid driving to other hospitals while in active labour.

The new hires bring a permanent solution closer to reality. One surgeon started in July. The second begins work the week of August 17. Horizon plans to train both doctors in emergency and elective cesarean sections soon.

Martha Mills serves as the chief of staff for Fredericton and the Upper Valley region. She told CBC News that these recruitment efforts reflect an ongoing commitment to improving access to safe labour and birth services in the area.

Local Leaders Welcome the Additions

The District of Carleton North and local medical staff advocated for these hires for a long time. Mayor Andrew Harvey expressed relief for Dr. Gurpreet Singh Ranger, the sole general surgeon who kept the department running during the shortage.

“It is hard to run a surgical suite with one surgeon there, they do need time off like everybody else,” Harvey said.

Harvey remains optimistic about keeping the new doctors in the community. He believes the current pay schedules make rural New Brunswick an attractive place to practice medicine.

More Staff Still Needed

While filling the general surgeon roles is a massive win, the hospital still faces hurdles. Horizon Health Network continues to actively recruit anesthesiologists and operating room nurses. These specialized roles are essential to guarantee long term service stability at the Waterville facility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the Upper River Valley Hospital divert maternity patients?

The hospital faced severe staffing shortages. Without enough surgeons to perform emergency cesarean sections, the facility had to send labour and delivery patients to other hospitals for their safety.

When do the new surgeons start working?

One surgeon began practicing at the hospital in July. The second surgeon starts the week of August 17.

Will the hospital stop diverting patients now?

The hospital resumed accepting labour and delivery patients on August 10. Horizon plans to train the new surgeons in cesarean sections soon to prevent future disruptions.

Are there other job vacancies at the hospital?

Yes. Horizon Health Network is currently trying to recruit anesthesiologists and operating room nurses to fully stabilize surgical services.