A unique solution to a local issue.
Prenatal care for pregnant people locally has been tough to come by following closures of departments at hospitals.
That’s where Amanda Kocheff, a midwife at Norfolk Family Health Team, and Dr. Brian Ferguson, an Obstetrician at Woodstock Hospital, come in.
The duo have teamed up to create a unique care plan for expecting parents.
But this partnership isn’t typical.
The Norfolk Prenatal and Newborn Health Program was created in 2019. The Delhi team offers prenatal and postpartum care, but does not offer birthing care, which is why the partnership with Woodstock Hosptial is so important.
Dr. Ferguson thought of the idea when the Norfolk General Hospital Labour and Delivery unit was forced to close.
In the Spring 2022 newsletter from Woodstock Hospital, it says that 92.1 per cent of obstetrics patients would definitely recommend the services to someone else. This is contrasted with a 77.9 per cent Ontario average to the same question.
The care also follows you after your birth.
If you are interested in prenatal care from this program you can have your family doctor refer you to Dr. Ferguson, or self-refer to Amanda by calling 519-582-2323 ext 282.
They started accepting patients in this joint care in May. Anyone is able to refer themselves to this program, including those without a primary care doctor.
Written by Ashley Taylor
