The First Steps Early Pregnancy Clinic in Kamloops is looking for “creative ways” to keep their doors open as they are set to run out of money at the end of this month.

Clinic Lead Joanna Norman says they met with Interior Health last week, noting the health authority has yet to approve additional funding so the clinic in Sahali can continue operations beyond March 31.

Despite the looming deadline, she says they are working hard to avoid service disruptions.

“We are still booking people through till the end of April at this point; our fingers are crossed the funding will come through,” said Norman.

“Everything I hear from Interior Health, the Ministry of Health, and the people I chat to are very positive, supportive and people do see the need for this.”

If Interior Health doesn’t come through with funding, Norman says they are looking at a few interim options, including reaching out to the Royal Inland Hospital Foundation for support.

“We are also looking at things like other grant money that is available, the new contracts for the Midwives that was signed off last year, also perhaps there are some pots through that funding as well; we are trying to find all the creative ways we can to keep this going.”

Norman goes on to emphasize the need for the clinic in Kamloops as there is a high demand for prenatal care in the community.

“We generally are seeing between 15 to 20 new pregnancies every week. Those people require care every month and then towards the end of pregnancy even more frequently than that.”

The First Steps Early Pregnancy Triage Clinic – located in Tudor Village at 1315 Summit Drive in Sahali – opened in September 2023, replacing the interim Midwifery Antenatal Care Clinic at Royal Inland Hospital, which also closed in September.