Image Credit: Global BC

By Dylana Kneeshaw

HOSPITAL UPDATE

Two pediatric patients transferred to Kamloops amid Kelowna pediatric department closure

Jun 5, 2025 | 4:57 PM

KAMLOOPS — The multi-week closure of the pediatric department at Kelowna General Hospital is sending children in need of a hospital stay elsewhere, including Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops.

According to Susan Brown, the CEO of Interior Health, over the past 11 days, seven children in Kelowna have required hospital admission and were transferred to other communities. Two of those pediatric patients were sent to Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops.

Brown says the decision to close the pediatric ward was done in an effort to keep the neonatal ICU open, as the pediatricians in Kelowna are responsible for both.

“It was done with safety as a key factor in that,” she reiterates.

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Brown says there are social workers available to help parents with logistics of moving a child to a nearby hospital and the health authority has a hardship policy that does help with related costs to that transportation.

“We do have a coordinating call every morning, that we work in with our hospitals that have pediatric inpatient units so we know what they’re able to receive. When the child goes there, of course, there’s a pediatric specialist there to take care of that child.”

Interior Health admits the Kelowna pediatric department has dealt with recruiting issues and physicians leaving after citing limited resources.

“There have been some frustrations from some of the pediatricians in Kelowna that have made them leave the hospital and go to the community. Addressing their frustrations and listening to them will be key,” notes Brown.

Brown says a plan was submitted to the Ministry of Health Thursday morning (June 5), proposing solutions to address staffing levels and resource issues doctors brought to their attention.

“I think the biggest thing I’ve heard from pediatricians are just the resources to support them in their work,” explains Brown. “In some instances, having a pharmacist who knows pediatric populations really well, different things like that. That’s part of what we’ve submitted in the plan. And of course, it is a growing population in Kelowna and there are more children, so you can assume that there will be more visits to the hospital related to them.”

The Kelowna pediatric department is expected to re-open in July, however that will depend on what level of staffing the health authority can secure.

In the meantime, Brown says families are still urged to continue to seek emergency care at the hospital.

Moving forward, Brown says one pediatrician is coming to Kelowna this summer, with offer letters recently signed for two more physicians expected to arrive in the fall and three new associate physicians are expected this year, which will help with capacity problems in the pediatric department.