Bid to halt closure of Banff obstetric ward fails

A legal bid to keep the obstetric ward open at Banff Mineral Springs Hospital has failed.

Alberta Health Services and Covenant Health, which operate the hospital in Banff said in December that all obstetrics services would be moved to the hospital in Canmore in March.

A group of doctorshas launched a court battleto stop the closure of maternity services in the mountain town arguing that it would put pregnant women in Banff at risk.

The group's lawyer, Clint Docken, said the government failed to consult with people before making its decision.

But a Calgary judge decided not to grant an injunction halting the closureon Monday.

The matter will be back in court April 8 when a date will be set for a judicial review of AHS's plan.

Patients with planned deliveries will now be sent to Canmore. Women in labour who show up at the Banff hospital will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, officials said.