(Image Credit: CFJC News)

By Sydney Chisholm

prenatal care

Health minister promises province is ‘working on’ addressing obstetrics clinic closure

May 25, 2023 | 4:07 PM

KAMLOOPS – The provincial government does not yet have a solution to the impending closure of Kamloops’ only obstetrics clinic but Health Minister Adrian Dix assures the community, he and his colleagues are working on it.

“We are working with doctors and other health professional nurses, midwives and others to ensure that there’s a continuity of care for people,” Dix told CFJC News. “One of the things we need to do is ensure there’s a contract in place that properly recognizes the work done by doctors in maternity. That work is going on and there is recruitment work going on and we will have more to say about that soon — but the work is happening.”

The minister arrived in Kamloops on Wednesday to announce a step toward a cancer centre at Royal Inland Hospital.

Three months ago, the Thompson Region Family Obstetrics clinic announced it would not be taking any new patients with due dates after July 31. Succumbing to staffing pressures, the clinic has not been able to secure enough coverage to continue providing on-call services, which are crucial for expecting mothers.

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“It’s not a public process in the sense that we have to work with people and do it,” Dix continued, “but I’d say to expectant mothers that we are working hard to have the care that they need this summer and beyond.”

An outpouring of concern has developed since the closure was announced.

When asked what he would say to the expectant mothers without prenatal care, the minister said he understands the added anxiety but reaffirmed his government’s commitment to the issue.

“I understand that that causes anxiety. But this is a high priority and that’s why we are working on it so clearly focused on it,” he said. “And what you don’t want to do is provide little bits of information, you want to arrive at solutions and present those solutions to people. That’s what we are trying to do.”