Bathurst hospital without pediatric services for another 5 days

The pediatric service suspensionat theChaleur Regional Hospital hasbeen extended a second time.

The temporary suspension first announced on July 29was supposed to end on Aug. 3. But because of the continued shortage of nurses, the suspension was extended until Wednesday.

Now services won't be available for another five days, according toa news release from theVitalit Health Network. Services forsick children won't return to the hospital until Aug. 15 at 8 a.m., the release says.

"This suspension is due to a shortage of nursing staff at the facility and will not affect obstetrical services," the release said.

The network saidpeople who need pediatric care in that area must go to the emergency room at the Chaleur Regional,"where situations will be treated on a case-by-case basis with the possibility of being redirected to another facility of the Network."

The initial five-day temporary suspension will now last at least17 days.