East Kootenay Divisions of Family Practice

Shared Care Maternity East Kootenay

In late 2013, a maternity working group was formed with family physicians from Creston, Cranbrook, Kimberley and Fernie and a Cranbrook OB/Gynecologist and midwives.

The working group created a target list of hassle factors for patients and physicians. They identified priorities in easing stress when families are transferred to East Kootenay Regional Hospital (EKRH) from outlying communities in obstetrical emergencies.

From this they developed the “What You Might Expect...... When You’re Expecting” pamphlet below for maternity patients in the “rural” communities of Creston, Fernie, Invermere, Golden who may have to travel into the regional hospital in Cranbrook.

Provincial discussions are continuing around improving BC ambulance transportation and BC Patient Transfer Network.