In Kamloops, British Columbia, the entire team of obstetrician-gynecologists at Royal Inland Hospital (RIH) has collectively announced their resignations, causing concern among expecting families. The group of seven doctors outlined in a letter dated Saturday that they are departing from their full-scope ob-gyn practices due to safety concerns arising from workload changes and ongoing recruitment difficulties.
Doctors Hilary Baikie, Jennifer Kozic, Paula Lott, Erin Adams, Michael Hsiao, Rita Chuang, and Christine Sutton expressed in the letter that the state of obstetrics in the community, coupled with the imminent loss of the Thompson Region Family Obstetrics group, left them with no viable path forward. Once replacements are secured, the ob-gyns will cease offering in-hospital services such as labor, delivery, and cesarean sections.
The physicians hope that the significant reduction in both low- and high-risk obstetrics services in Kamloops will prompt the Interior Health Authority to enhance support for women’s health. They intend to gradually phase out patient care, with several doctors planning to continue providing outpatient gynecology services in their offices. Notices for the phased withdrawal of in-hospital care will be sent out, and each surgeon will reach out to their surgical patients on the waitlist to discuss future plans.
The doctors cautioned that RIH’s closure highlights the systemic underfunding of women’s healthcare and could set a precedent for other centers facing similar challenges. Despite declining interview requests from CBC News, expectant mother Brianna Jones, who is 20 weeks pregnant and employed at Thompson Rivers University, expressed her apprehension about the impact of the resignations on her delivery experience.
Interior Health president and CEO Sylvia Weir assured that transition planning involving Perinatal Services B.C. is underway to maintain patient care standards. Weir acknowledged the doctors’ burnout concerns and acknowledged the ongoing challenge of recruiting obstetricians, not only in British Columbia but nationwide. Health Minister Josie Osborne emphasized the gravity of the situation, citing a shortage of healthcare professionals like maternity service providers in critical areas.
Osborne revealed that Interior Health has identified over a dozen qualified candidates to strengthen its ob-gyn workforce. The government is finalizing a new contract offer to enhance compensation, workload support, recruitment, and retention efforts. Additionally, the health ministry plans to expand training opportunities for ob-gyns. However, B.C. Conservative MLA for Kamloops Centre Peter Milobar expressed shock over the resignations and stressed the need for a comprehensive long-term plan for maternity care in Kamloops.