Since the Thompson Region Family Obstetrics Clinic is set to close this summer, a Kamloops mother is hoping to gather signatures to keep the facility open.

Amanda Yaschuk has launched a petition to keep the Thompson Region Family Obstetrics Clinic open, inside the Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops after hearing it’s set to close in July due to a lack of available doctors.

She says the TRFO clinic, which is the largest maternity clinic in the city, provided her and her son’s care after he was born, noting the facility is crucial for expecting mothers across the region.

“When I moved here, I didn’t have a family doctor and when I found out I was pregnant, the OB and the Midwives in town either I didn’t hear back, or my referrals weren’t accepted,” she explained.

“TRFO was the only clinic available to take me and I remember the lady on the phone telling me they take everyone there and it was such peace of mind to hear that.”

Now, Yaschuk says any expecting mother with a due date after July 31 will not being accepted at the clinic.

Since roughly 40 per cent of Kamloops residents are without a family doctor, which is double the provincial average, Yaschuk says it will be very difficult for expecting mothers to get in anywhere.

“Most of the time, we have midwives in town here, but a lot of times they are full right away, and you cannot get it; so it really does not leave many options,” explained Yaschuk.

She adds that the closure won’t only impact expecting mothers in Kamloops, but will also impact people in the surrounding communities.

“I’ve heard from a few people in Merritt, Lillooet, and even in Pritchard. You have to think just the surrounding communities here rely on this clinic.”

Yaschuk says her goal is to get at least 5,0000 signatures on the petition, which she launched to create more awareness about the upcoming closure of the TRFO clinic in July 2023.

“When I started the petition, the goal was to bring awareness to the fact that this closure is coming up and encourage people to write to our MLAs and our MP and interior health and let them know that this is a problem and we need action taken.”

After speaking with Kamloops North Thompson MLA Peter Milobar on Tuesday, Yaschuk says Milobar and Kamloops South Thompson MLA Todd Stone are also set to bring forward this petition to the legislature on Monday.

“Peter (Milobar) and I had a meeting and we chatted about what this closure means, and he had a personal touch to this as well as his daughter just had a baby, so he really resonates with this story, and his concerns felt genuine.”

Earlier this month, B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix said he is optimistic about the future of the TRFO clinic, noting the province has been working with doctors and others working in maternity in Kamloops to find solutions.

“We are very positive that there will be a solution to that worked out in advance of the closure you’re talking about,” Dix said.

The TRFO is responsible for roughly 60 hospital deliveries a month, with prenatal appointments for birthing parents as well as six weeks of postnatal care for mothers and babies.

Please take a moment to sign this petition to make your voice heard. Planning on presenting this petition with ⁦@toddstonebc⁩ to ⁦@adriandix⁩ on Monday. #Kamloops #bcpoli Petition · Keep the TRFO Maternity Clinic Open · https://t.co/gYgQ9V70nU https://t.co/UG6q6TiA2e

— Peter Milobar 🇺🇦 (@PeterMilobar) April 11, 2023