The MHA for Labrador West says expectant parents on the north coast and in central Labrador may be in for a rude shock when they have to travel to Lab City for obstetrical care.

Obstetrical patients who would normally be seen at the hospital in Happy Valley-Goose Bay are being diverted to Lab West – an hours-long trek over the highway – due to staffing shortages.

NDP MHA Jordan Brown says the hotels in Lab West are usually closed this time of year, leaving young families who must travel to have their babies with few options.

He says the local hotels are usually closed for maintenance this time of year because the contractors are normally gone. Brown says Lab City is not set up for people to fly in to deliver their babies, whereas Goose Bay is set up that way because people have been doing that for generations.

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RN Shortage Forces Diversion of Obstetrical Patients from Happy Valley-Goose Bay