CALEB NICKERSON
Shawville
Nov. 25-26, 2019
Obstetrical services at the Pontiac Community Hospital (PCH) were interrupted early . . .
this week, marking the eighth such break this fall.
Due to a lack of nursing staff, it was announced in a press release issued Nov. 22 that the unit would close from 12:00 a.m. Monday to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday. Expecting mothers requiring non-urgent care are to be redirected to Gatineau or Pembroke Hospital.
Earlier this month, Radio-Canada broke the news that two of the hospital’s five physicians trained in obstetrics would be leaving at the end of December, making the unit’s continued operation even more precarious. CISSSO representatives have stated that they will guarantee the service is available until the January, but are still struggling to hire and retain staff in the region.
