The Hanover and District Hospital’s Birthing Centre is very quiet these days — almost too quiet.
The Hospital has experienced a 30 per cent drop in births over the past fiscal year.
Vice President of Patient Care Reta Sproule is hoping the low number are just a fluke.
And even though this is the lowest birth rate the hospital has experienced — Sproule says there are no plans to close the obstetrical wing.
The low birth numbers are causing some staffing concerns.
Sproule says the newer obstetrical nurses are not getting the hands on experience they require to keep up with their skills.
Now Sproule says they will send these nurses to birthing centres in larger hospitals to provide them with more experience.
Sproule says they have enough seasoned obstetrical nurses on hand to cover the unit while these newer nurses receive outside training.
Currently, Hanover Walkerton and Owen Sound are the only hospitals in Grey Bruce that still deliver babies.
