Hospitals continue to build gynecological and obstetrical services in Midland

Georgian Bay General Hospital and Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital work towards major milestones as part of its birthing program partnership

November 23, 2017 – Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH), in partnership with Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH), recently opened a bi-weekly Gynecology Clinic at the hospital. This clinic opening is a major step forward in re-establishing gynecological and obstetrical services in Midland.

Run through GBGH’s Ambulatory Care department by co-leads Dr. Kim Bremer and Dr. Jessica Green, this clinic is open every other Monday to provide consultations and minor surgical procedures to women referred by their family physician. The clinic will see up to 20 patients per day.

The Gynecology Clinic is part of GBGH’s plan to improve access to gynecology services and expand birthing services to meet the needs of women in the community. The hospital has partnered with Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH) to build this comprehensive birthing partnership.

As part of Phase 1 of the partnership, GBGH is working to recruit an obstetrician, a shared professional practice leader in obstetrics, a shared program manager and obstetrical nurses, with the aim of being fully staffed by spring 2018.

“Recruiting critical support staff and skilled clinical professionals is essential to continue providing birthing services at GBGH,” says Gail Hunt, president and CEO, GBGH. “Since the beginning of our fiscal year in April 2017, we have delivered 77 babies at GBGH. Having the right physicians, midwives and staff in place, combined with the valuable support of our partner OSMH, will assist in our efforts to continue raising the number of babies delivered at our hospital.”

As a Level 2 birthing and neonatal centre, OSMH can provide care for higher-risk mothers and babies, with GBGH continuing to provide low-risk birthing services. Additionally, OSMH will provide ongoing mentorship and education for staff and physicians in the Level 1 centre at GBGH.

“We’re incredibly excited about the partnership our hospitals have developed and how it will ensure high quality, standardized care for obstetrical patients across the region,” said Pat Campbell, OSMH President and CEO. “This unique model of care has not previously been implemented anywhere in the province and could serve as a model for others to follow.”

GBGH and OSMH are in discussions with the North Simcoe Muskoka Local Health Integration Network and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care about continued funding to support the program.

Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH), in partnership with Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH), recently opened a bi-weekly Gynecology Clinic at the hospital. This clinic opening is a major step forward in re-establishing gynecological and obstetrical services in Midland. The clinic is operated by co-leads Dr. Kim Bremer (right) and Dr. Jessica Green (left) with GBGH/OSMH chief of staff Dr. Nancy Merrow.

Contact:
Jennifer Moore
Communications Officer, GBGH
705-526-1300 ext 5177
moorejen@gbgh.on.ca

Terry Dyni
Director of Community Relations, OSMH
(705) 327-9179
tadyni@osmh.on.ca

Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) is a 105-bed acute care community hospital located in Midland, Ontario. The hospital offers emergency, ambulatory, acute, intensive and complex continuing care, as well as imaging, dialysis, obstetrical and rehabilitation services. GBGH serves the areas of Midland, Penetanguishene, Christian Island as well as Tay, Tiny, Springwater and Georgian Bay Townships.

Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH) is located in Orillia, Ontario (just 114 kilometres north of Toronto) and serves more than 440,000 residents in North Simcoe Muskoka. OSMH provides a comprehensive range of programs and services, including medical, surgical and emergency care, dialysis, obstetrical and paediatric care, mental health and rehabilitation services. For more information please visit our website at www.osmh.on.ca.