The Erie-St. Clair LHIN meets on November 27, 2014. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)The Erie-St. Clair LHIN meets on November 27, 2014. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
Chatham

Leamington OB Gets Lifeline

Planned births at Leamington District Memorial Hospital will continue indefinitely.

The Erie-St. Clair Local Health Integration Network is directing the hospital to keep the service open until further notice as a newly established advisory panel reviews the viability of obstetrical service in Leamington. OB service was set to end by March 31, 2015.

Sandra Dick is an expecting mother in Leamington and due to give birth for the end of April, about a month after OB in Leamington was set to end.

"It's wonderful news," says Dick, relieved to be able to have her second child in Leamington. "I was assuming I'd be in Windsor again. My first birth was in Windsor because [my pregnancy] was high-risk. We were planning Leamington, but with the high-risk I had to go to Windsor. But, I am thrilled this time I can go to Leamington and it's going to be open for me."

Board Chair for the Erie-St. Clair LHIN Martin Girash says LDMH will be getting a waiver to deal with the costs of providing OB service longer than expected.

"The waiver means that they will not be bound by the balance budget requirement for this year," says Girash. "Staff is also directed to work with Leamington hospital regarding the cost and expenses for keeping the program open."

The review panel has 120 days to provide final recommendations to the Erie-St. Clair LHIN on OB service in Leamington. Panelists haven't been confirmed yet, but the board intends to have nurse Bonnie Adamson chair the panel while Dr. Martin Lees would serve as co-chair.

The planned closure of the obstetrics ward at Leamington District Memorial Hospital brings many residents to a public forum on October 29, 2014. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza) The planned closure of the obstetrics ward at Leamington District Memorial Hospital brings many residents to a public forum on October 29, 2014. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)

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