“The nature of the work we do can be very anxiety inducing for some people,” says Jill Forbes, charge nurse for the IWK group at the Dr. Maria Angwin Memorial - Wyse Road Health Clinic. “I think it's important to help them feel comfortable, safe and supported during their visits."
For the past 15 years Forbes has worked as a Registered Nurse (RN) at the IWK starting in the Birth Unit supporting families through the labour and birthing experience and then joining the Obstetrical Lifeflight team where they transport high risk obstetrical patients back to the IWK for ongoing care. In 2023 she started in her current role.
“We have been working out of the IWK for the past three years while awaiting the new clinic space to be built,” says Forbes. “Our clinic is soon moving back to Dartmouth, where it originally was. We are excited to be back in the community for our patients all over the Maritimes.”
The soon-to-open clinic offers midwifery, gynecological, urogynecological and prenatal care. This will be the first of its kind as a joint clinic between NSH and IWK.
“It is very rewarding to be told that our women and gender-diverse patients feel heard and understood,” says Forbes. “This tells me that what we do here at the IWK is special and inspires my ongoing support of our patients and community!”