No Kelowna visit planned for health minister, says issue shouldn’t be politicized

A trio of Conservative MLAs who represent the Central Okanagan want Health Minister Josie Osborne to face the music at Kelowna General Hospital (KGH).

That visit does not appear to be on Osborne’s schedule, at least not right now.

After touring KGH’s emergency department on Monday, the local MLAs summoned on Osborne to make her first visit to the beleaguered hospital since becoming Health Minister in November 2024.

“We are calling on Minister Osborne to immediately visit KGH and listen to feedback from those on the ground – raw and unfiltered,” said West Kelowna-Peachland MLA Macklin McCall.

NowMedia reached out to the Ministry of Health shortly before 10 am today to learn whether Osborne had any plans to travel to Kelowna and visit the beleaguered hospital.

Her 200-word response, provided to NowMedia through the Ministry around 3:30 pm, made no mention of any plans to come to the Central Okanagan.

“I appreciate the concerns raised around KGH and take them very seriously. Listening to frontline workers is essential to creating safe, respectful workplaces and improving care for patients,” she said.

“Since becoming Health Minister, I’ve made it a focus to meet with frontline staff and visit hospitals across the province to hear directly from those on the ground.”

Osborne called it crucial to focus on finding solutions, and responded to the Conservative MLAs in a roundabout way by saying that “politicizing this issue is not constructive.”

As Interior Health CEO Susan Brown told NowMedia on June 6, Osborne said health authority leadership is meeting with local physicians to discuss ongoing issues and attempt to address them.

“I’ve also offered support from the Ministry of Health to help all parties work together constructively and keep the focus where it belongs – ensuring respectful workplaces and high-quality patient care,” Osborne added.

The Health Minister says the BC NDP will “continue to strengthen public healthcare across BC,” and that includes Kelowna.

She cited the creation of the new gynecological oncology program in 2024, installation of a new MRI machine in 2023 and the addition of two new KGH operating rooms in 2022.

“Other recent investments include: the addition of 51 new inpatient beds, an expansion to a Tier 4 Neonatal service, expanded trauma, surgical eye care, brain health and stroke care programs,” Osborne explained.

McCall, Kelowna-Mission MLA Gavin Dew and Kelowna Centre MLA Kristina Loewen also requested that Osborne attend an upcoming Kelowna Health Care Crisis Town Hall.

The local MLAs said the town hall, scheduled for 5-7 pm on Wednesday, July 2, at a to-be-determined location, will proceed with or without her.