The Victoria Prenatal Service (VPS) at Victoria General Hospital has discharged its final patient. Over nearly three years of operation, the VPS team cared for 1,569 patients, triaged over 3,200 requests for maternity care, and coordinated 809 clinics. As previously planned, the service underwent full closure on February 5, 2026.
The VPS was established in March of 2023 in response to a critical shortage of maternity care providers across South Island. Since that time, Island Health has made significant investments to strengthen local maternity services, including the recruitment of seven family physicians with focused practices in maternity care and obstetrics and 21 registered midwives with hospital privileges at Victoria General Hospital.
To continue supporting patients during early pregnancy, we are sharing an updated Early Pregnancy Patient Information handout that was previously circulated. This resource is designed to help patients navigate available maternity care options, understand how to seek early pregnancy care, and access reliable information while awaiting connection with a provider.
We hope this handout supports patients in arriving to your practice better informed and reassured, particularly during the first weeks of pregnancy.
In addition, we would like to highlight a useful clinical support tool for family physicians: BC Divisions – Prenatal Checklists
Thank you
Perinatal Services VGH