Maternity unit at Brandon hospital to close for 24 hours due to 'unexpected absence'

Maternity services at Brandon Regional Health Centre will be temporarily unavailable starting tomorrow at 8 a.m.

Expectant mothers in Brandon will have to go elsewhere for care due to a “temporary disruption” of maternity services at Brandon Regional Health Centre (BRHC) starting tomorrow morning.

According to Prairie Mountain Health, the authority that oversees BRHC, the disruption will last 24 hours starting 8 a.m. Thursday.

The closure is due to an "unexpected absence," the health authority said.

In the meantime, it encouraged those in labour or experiencing pregnancy-related concerns to visit their nearest emergency department, including BRHC for an assessment.

“Upon arrival, mothers will be assessed by the medical team, and an appropriate care plan will be developed to ensure their safety and well-being,” Prairie Mountain Health said in a statement.

In its statement, the health authority also apologized for any inconvenience the disruption may cause.

The closure, which was shared hours earlier on social media by a local wellness clinic, garnered lots of frustration from parents and families online. Many expressed their concerns about the impending shutdown, as well as future closures that could result from similar staffing issues.