File Photo (Image Credit: Global)

By Michael Reeve

MATERNITY CARE

TRFO officially shutters but no gaps in maternity care for foreseeable future: RIH

Feb 5, 2026 | 4:34 PM

KAMLOOPS — Back in December, Interior Health announced the hiring of two new OB-GYNs to join the staff at Royal Inland Hospital (RIH) in Kamloops. The health authority at that time announced a new service model for the region that utilizes more service providers from around the community. 

After months of instability in the wake of the resignation of OB-GYNs at Royal Inland, maternity care in Kamloops has calmed of late, with IH bringing in two new OB-GYNs and ensuring the schedule is without gaps moving forward.

“We do have the two new hires that are starting in May. We are still trying to recruit about eight people in different stages of recruitment,” said Gerry Desilets, executive director of clinical operations at RIH. “But the nice thing I can add is our OB-GYNs are covered for the foreseeable future. There are no gaps in their coverage, which is great for high-risk patients and support for our low-risk providers. Lots of locums (are) helping and our local team pitching in to really help out.”

Desilets confirmed that since the challenges began last summer, no patients have needed to be transferred to other hospitals. He also stated the Thompson Regional Family Obstetrics (TRFO) clinic at the hospital is now closed.

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“Unfortunately, TRFO has closed. They are no longer seeing patients in the clinic. They were doing some postpartum care with their midwives seeing some patients but that has finished up. Those physicians are still providing some on-call coverage but it just wasn’t sustainable for them. But [Early Pregnancy Access to Care and Triage Clinic] and STEPS are stepping into that gap to make sure patients are getting care,” said Desilets. 

Interior Health and RIH are working on a new maternity care framework in Kamloops, bringing more community partners into the mix.

“I know there is a lot of anxiety in the community but we are doing our best,” added Desilets. “Our midwives, our family practice practitioners, our nurses at the bedside, they are all doing everything they can. It’s stressful for them. It’s stressful for you but please come to the hospital, get care. We will ensure you get great service and you can deliver your baby in a safe place. We are continuing to work on the gaps.”