The process of transferring back some obstetrical services to James Paton Memorial Hospital in Gander begins today.

NL Health Services issued a release on Friday that pediatrics and gynecology services would be relocated to the obstetrics unit starting today.

The health authority is aiming to reinstate all care, including labour and delivery services, to Gander by early 2024.

It’s a completely different situation than the town was dealing with just one year ago when it was recommended obstetrics be centralized in Grand Falls-Windsor.

NL Health Services says staff and physicians at James Paton have been working to reintroduce obstetrics in full force. Renovations on the unit have been completed, and three of four obstetricians have been hired with a fourth currently completing their orientation. Required nurses and midwives are already working at the facility.