MEDICINE HAT – Expecting families in Medicine Hat will have continued access to comprehensive prenatal care in their community with the opening of a prenatal clinic within Medicine Hat Regional Hospital next month.

The clinic's interdisciplinary care team of physicians and nurses will provide routine prenatal assessments and screening, education and counselling related to pregnancy, labour and postpartum care, and the coordination of lab testing and diagnostic imaging.

"Reopening the maternity clinic ensures that families can access reliable, compassionate care close to home in early pregnancy and beyond," says Justin Wright, MLA for Cypress-Medicine Hat and Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Health South. "Bringing back straightforward, easy-to-use services helps first-time expectant mothers feel supported, especially during a time when they need it most."

The clinic began accepting referrals on Jan. 19, following a proactive and collaborative effort by Alberta Health Services (AHS), Primary Care Alberta (PCA), local physicians and the Palliser Primary Care Network (PCN) to prepare for the upcoming departure of a local family physician. That departure, planned for April, would have otherwise limited access to maternity care in Medicine Hat.

“Healthy pregnancies start with access to care, and that care is always best when it's available where families live,” says Kim Simmonds, CEO of Primary Care Alberta. “This clinic is a result of healthcare partners working together quickly to ensure expecting families receive the care they need during a critical time in their lives.”

The low-risk maternity clinic will allow the community's remaining family obstetricians to work together to coordinate care and ensure the needs of expecting families are met.

“We're really excited for the Family Medicine Maternity Clinic to open and know that we have the support required to provide top-notch care for our community,” says Dr. Gerry Prince, family obstetrician and clinic lead. “We've got a whole team of people geared specifically to do prenatal care. Community physicians know that when they send their patients here, they'll be well cared for.”

Expecting families may be referred by a healthcare provider or self refer by calling the patient appointment line at 403-529-8060. The clinic is intended for expecting families who:

• Are currently pregnant.
• Have no significant medical comorbidities.
• Have no identified obstetrical complications to-date.
• Require a prenatal care provider and/or delivering physician.

Healthcare partners will monitor the clinic's operations and collaborate with local physicians to ensure a sustainable, long-term prenatal care program continues to be in place for the community.

Primary Care Alberta is a made-in-Alberta solution to improve access to the primary care services Albertans rely on. By delivering coordinated services, Primary Care Alberta enables healthcare providers to do what they do best – care for Albertans. We meet Albertans wherever they live, work, play and learn, promoting prevention, supporting lifelong health journeys, and serving as a vital entry point to a complex network of care. Together, we are creating a future where compassionate, timely and effective healthcare is available to every Albertan at every stage of life.