The Conservative MLAs in the Kamloops area are sounding the alarm after a “mass resignation” of obstetrician-gynecologists at Royal Inland Hospital.
On Tuesday, news broke that seven doctors reportedly resigned from their in-hospital privileges, citing unsafe workloads, chronic staff shortages and a lack of support from the government.
Details are limited, but NowMedia has reached out to Interior Health for more information.
These reported issues to maternity care in Kamloops are not new.
In July, Interior Health advised the public about “potential changes to maternity services” at the Kamloops hospital.
By September, IH announced that they had been informed by the Thompson Region Family Obstetrics (TRFO) that new referrals were being closed.
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Both announcements drew sharp criticism from local MLAs, including Kamloops Centre MLA Peter Milobar.
Milobar questioned what it would take for the TRFO to open to referrals again, adding that it appeared the service gap would continue on indefinitely.
He called the service gaps “completely unacceptable.”
To date, no adjustments to services or solutions to maternity care have been announced.
“This is what eight years of NDP mismanagement looks like,” said Milobar.
“Doctors have been sounding the alarm for years, and this government has turned a blind eye. Specialists are walking away because they no longer feel supported or safe, and physicians warn that Kamloops could face a complete loss of specialist women’s health services within four to six months if the government fails to act.”
“Royal Inland Hospital is a central hub and a critical lifeline for the region, yet the NDP continues to ignore the frontline staff who keep it running,” said Ward Stamer, MLA for Kamloops–North Thompson.
NowMedia has secured an interview with Milobar on Wednesday, Oct. 15. It will be live streamed on KelownaNow X and Youtube at 10:30 am.
