KGH in-patient general pediatric unit set to close for 6 weeks

The general pediatric unit at Kelowna General Hospital will be facing a six week closure starting next week.

Dr. Hussam Azzam, executive medical director of community and maternity for Interior Health said the closure is needed to address gaps in scheduling due to limited physician availability.

As of May 26, the 10-bed inpatient general pediatric uni will be closed until at least the second week of July.

“We are reallocating current pediatricians to support the neonatal intensive care unit and high-risk deliveries,” said Dr. Azzam.

“During this time, all critical care services for children are open, including the emergency department and neonatal intensive care unit.”

The statement from IH said the service disruption only impacts children who need admission to the general unit and anyone that needs care for a child is still advised to visit the emergency department.

The health authority said it understands the temporary closure of the general pediatric unit is concerning but there are efforts being made to fill the gaps and hire additional pediatricians in Kelowna.

That includes making national and international recruiting efforts and having incentives in place for locum (visiting specialists) and for permanent positions at KGH.

IH said it was “​​looking at additional changes to current compensation models to make positions in Kelowna more attractive to interested pediatricians.”

However, one new pediatrician is set to start working this summer.

Local MLAs respond to the closure

Gavin Dew, MLA for Kelowna-Mission, said the closure was the latest “symptom of a health-care system held together with duct tape.”

On his X account, Dew said the provincial NDP continues to boast about hiring doctors but as more doctors retire, the new hires aren’t keeping track with BC’s population growth.

“As a parent of two young kids myself, it’s scary that families in the Okanagan will be without inpatient pediatric care for six weeks," Dew said in a statement to KelownaNow.

"We've heard about ER shutdowns throughout rural BC; are we next? Will Vernon and Kelowna be next on the list of hospitals diverting patients? We need honesty and transparency from this government, not more spin. And need real action - and fast - to fix BC's health-care crisis.”

Kristina Loewen, MLA for Kelowna-Centre, said this six-week closure will feel like an eternity for parents with sick children.

“Kelowna is one of the fastest-growing communities in BC,” she added.

“We should be expanding services - not sending families out of town in a crisis. This is what a healthcare system in trouble looks like. Our kids deserve better.”

Macklin McCall, MLA for West Kelowna-Peachland, said the closure put children “on the back burner during one of the busiest times of the year.” He called on the BC NDP to treat closures like this like a “genuine crisis.”