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By James Peters

Obstetrical Services

Stone, Dix spar over dim future for Kamloops obstetrical clinic

Feb 22, 2023 | 5:25 PM

VICTORIA — The future of the Thompson Region Family Obstetrics clinic was raised in the B.C. Legislature Wednesday (Feb. 22).

The clinic — which offers care to about 60 per cent of expectant families in Kamloops — is no longer accepting anyone with a due date after July 31.

In announcing the decision last week, clinic leaders cited a lack of doctors available to cover on-call shifts.

During question period Wednesday, Kamloops-South Thompson MLA Todd Stone pressed the government on the clinic, saying it has known about the issue for nearly a year. In doing so, he referred to the example of a young expectant mother in a desperate situation.

“The clinic is closing, leaving her without any options for prenatal care — and I would point out that she’s one of the 45,000 residents of Kamloops who does not have a family doctor,” said Stone. “She says, ‘I have been told I can attend our local, overcrowded emergency department if I need care.’”

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Health Minister Adrian Dix responded that the alternative payment model for physicians introduced by the government last year will help address the problem.

“Interior Health, the Ministry of Health and I are specifically supportive of alternative payment models for those working at this clinic,” said Dix. “We are hard at work to ensure that this problem is resolved, this issue is resolved and that services to expectant mothers — and everyone served by this clinic — are maintained.”