Doctor fights to keep Banff obstetric ward open

A court application was filed on Thursday by local doctors asking for a judicial review of the decision to shut down the obstetric ward at the Banff Mineral Springs Hospital.

Alberta Health Services and Covenant Health, which operate the hospital in Banff,announced in Decemberthat all obstetrics services would be moved to the hospital in Canmore effective March this year.

Thursdays court application wasfiledon behalf of Dr. Ian MacDonald, who works at the Alpine Medical Clinic in Banff.

Dr. Jane Fowke is anotherdoctor behind the applicaiton.

"If the hospital closes on Monday, it takes time but you have detrimental effects to the community," she said."People think twice about moving into a community when they don't have maternity services, often the number of children in school goes down."

The group'slawyer, Clint Docken, says the government failed to consult with people before making its decision.

"In circumstances where there's a reasonable expectation that there will be consultation, failure to undertake that consultation can lead to court direction that it must take place," Docken said.

MacDonald alsosays the closure puts pregnant women in Banff at risk.

The application will be heard in court on Monday.