High-risk deliveries may have to go to London for maternal, neonatal care

After November 1, Windsor Regional Hospital's Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) clinic will stop operating.

Dr. Greg Hasen, chief of obstetrics and gynecology, said while it's disappointing, not that many people will be affected.

"Although it's nice to have an MFM available here, I think the service hasn't been utilised to its full potential or need," said Hasen.

"In the past, high-risk pregnancies, that would be done by the maternal fetal medicine [clinic]," said Hasen. "It saved having to send patients to London for that service."

In terms of neonatal care, Windsor is a Level 2C hospital that means newborns 30 weeks or later can be delivered there. Hasen said the hospital has always operated as if it was a level 3, which means newborns 26 weeks or later can be delivered.

Last year, Hasen said, 24 patients were delivered at the Windsor Regional Hospital at less than 30 weeks.

There were approximately 590 "unique" patients seen in the clinic last year.

"At this point of time, we have no evidence that our status changes. We're still funded as a Level 2C, but acting as a Level 3," said Hasen. "[The doctor] is more than welcome to stay here, but we can't afford the $460,000 stipend going to the MFM without affecting other patient care."

The $460,000 a year was not funded by the province, and covers both the clinic itself and the physician's stipend.

Dr. Gary Ing, chief of staff said last year the hospital went under review for the LHIN area to show the efficiency of Windsor Regional Hospital. That report showed WRH was one of the most efficient in the province, but identified areas where money could be saved.

According to Ing, technology improvements and local expertisewill help minimize patient impact of this decision.

"We have an outstanding group of OBGYN physicians ...that will continue to care for high-risk pregnancies locally or rely on the Level 3 centre in London for their care," said Ing. "The expertise in the community, the working relationships with tertiary centres ... we're going to make this as seamless as possible."

Hasen said that obtaining true Level 3 status would likely not occur until a new acute care hospital was built in the region.