Interior Health says it has secured full obstetrician on-call coverage at Royal Inland Hospital and is expanding recruitment and community-based care, following months of concern over the resignation of all seven hospital OB-GYNs.
OB-GYN resignations
In the fall, all seven OB-GYNs at RIH delivered a letter confirming their resignations from hospital-based care, citing unsafe working conditions, extreme burnout, and unmanageable workloads. The resignations are staggered beginning in January to allow for patient transitions and interim staffing.
The doctors proposed limiting on-call duties to emergency obstetrics only, but say the Ministry of Health rejected this, asking them to also cover scheduled and unscheduled gynecology. They stressed they remain committed to patient care if conditions are addressed.
Interior Health response
Interior Health disputed some of the OB-GYNs’ claims, saying the physicians had autonomy over their schedules and were not required to perform simultaneous emergency and surgical duties. The authority also confirmed it had offered a 25% pay increase, between $600,000 and $700,000 annually.
Recruitment is underway, with eight candidates at various stages and two new OB-GYNs expected to begin in May 2026. Interior Health is also in talks with additional OB-GYNs interested in working at RIH, including candidates from outside Canada.
Community concern
The resignations prompted rallies outside RIH, organized by Maternity Matters Kamloops. About 100 people, including parents and babies, attended the November protest, calling for urgent action and clearer communication about staffing and maternity care services.
Expanding community care
To relieve pressure on hospital services, Interior Health has expanded the Early Pregnancy Access to Care & Triage (EPACT) Clinic at North Shore Primary Care. The clinic now offers two additional days per week, with a third day planned in January, providing first- and second-trimester care, prenatal testing, referrals for later pregnancy care, and early postpartum support.
Appointments can be booked at 250-318-3861. Community family physicians and midwives have also increased maternity care for patients from 30 weeks to term, collaborating with EPACT and Supporting Team Excellence with Patients Society (STEPS).
Future plans
Interior Health is developing a new, team-based maternity care model to coordinate services across physicians, midwives, nurses, and community partners. The plan is in early stages and will require further input from providers, patients, and stakeholders.
Organizers of the November rally said they hope recruitment, expanded community care, and a future integrated model will reduce the need for further protests, but they will continue to push for transparency and accountability until a sustainable solution is in place.
Interior Health said updates will continue to be shared online, and a dedicated webpage provides current information on maternity services in Kamloops.
