Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital (SMGH) board of directors made an announcement on March 8th, 2024 that they will no longer have an OBGyn on staff and all obstetrical deliveries will be transitioned to either London Health Sciences or St Thomas Elgin General Hospital. They chose to make this announcement on International Women’s Day. On a day when women are to be celebrated, not treated as if their medical needs are not important enough to be retained in Strathroy. SMGH has for many years been played an integral part in serving the women of Strathroy and in the surrounding community. It is my understanding that this decision was made by our hospital board who ignored recommendations and input from family doctors, nurses, and other representatives of the medical community. It is an insult to the medical staff who provided valuable feedback, to be ignored by the board and their opinion dismissed. 

All four of my babies were delivered by my family doctor at SMGH, most of my grandchildren were also delivered by a family doctor at SMGH. Most of the 19 members of my immediate family, ranging in age from 76 to 8 years old, were delivered by a family doctor at SMGH. Many would not have made it if they had been forced to drive to London or St. Thomas, they would have been born in the car en route. The big city hospitals have an assembly line delivery service where you are nothing more than a number on a chart. SMGH has always provided a calmer, homey environment with caring nurses who are also part of this community. Two of my grandchildren were born in London so I have seen firsthand the huge difference in the birthing experience between SMGH and LHSC. 

The announcement I heard made it sound as if our OBGyn left so the services had to be discontinued. I have since learned, our OBGyn was told the services were being discontinued so she had no choice but to leave. As a woman, when I was faced with other medical issues, it was comforting to be able to stay close to home where my kids and my husband could readily stop by and visit. 

If you believe that it is important for SMGH to continue to serve the woman in Strathroy and the surrounding area. If you believe women should not have the added stress of having to drive into London or St. Thomas forced upon them when they are experiencing anxiety from some type of women’s medical health issue, then please sign this petition and help us bring back women’s health care to SMGH.