Image Credit: Kent Simmonds / CFJC Today

By Silvia Senna

MATERNITY CARE IN KAMLOOPS

Eleventh-hour funding secured for First Steps Early Pregnancy Clinic in Kamloops

Mar 28, 2024 | 2:58 PM

KAMLOOPS — The future of the First Steps Early Pregnancy Triage Clinic in Kamloops was uncertain in recent weeks, but today (Mar. 28) B.C.’s Ministry of Health, and Interior Health have confirmed that funding will be in place for those maternity care services to continue.

“The expansion of the innovative and team-based services provided by First Steps Early Pregnancy Triage Clinic are needed to meet the needs of expectant families in Kamloops and surrounding communities,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health.

The announcement comes as the clinic’s initial grant funding was set to run out by the end of this month.

The goal with the new service is to deliver team-based care, including midwives, physicians and nurse practitioners. According to a news release issued Thursday, Interior Health will employ a registered nurse, nurse practitioner and medical office assistant at First Steps, which will allow the clinic to follow maternity patients up to 30 weeks of their pregnancy. The clinic will also include postpartum care up to six weeks after birth.

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“We want to be here for people at such an important and vulnerable time,” said Joanna Norman, head of the First Steps Early Pregnancy Triage Clinic. “With this funding in place we will be able to care for many more patients seeking prenatal and postpartum care in the community.”

The First Steps Early Pregnancy Triage Clinic is open Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and people who are newly pregnant without a care provider can call or text the clinic at 250-318-3821 to access care.