Interior Health is disputing key claims made by obstetricians and gynecologists at Royal Inland Hospital, following the collective resignation of all seven specialists over what they describe as unsafe working conditions and lack of support.

IH Vice President of Medicine Mark Masterson was unavailable for an interview and simply provided a written statement to Radio NL. It said the doctors had full control over their scheduling and were not required to perform simultaneous emergency and surgical duties—one of the main concerns raised in the OB-GYNs’ public letter.

“The group had autonomy to schedule themselves and chose that model of care,” Masterson said, adding that IH supported proposals to separate surgical and emergency coverage.

Interior Health says it has worked for years to address the group’s concerns and made a contract offer with a 25% compensation increase—between $600,000 and $700,000 annually—which remains available despite the resignations.

With the departures set to be phased in starting 2026, IH has assumed responsibility for recruitment and says it’s working with physician groups and local leaders to attract new specialists to Kamloops.

Province Says Talks Ongoing

In the Legislature this week, Health Minister Josie Osborne confirmed ongoing discussions with the doctors but also signaled a hardening stance, telling MLAs that IH is speaking with at least a dozen interested OB-GYNs, including some from outside Canada. “It is my expectation that Interior Health will continue to work with the physicians,” Osborne said, “and that they will continue to put patients’ interests first.”

Grilled about the situation Monday during question period by Kamloops-Centre MLA Peter Milobar, Osbourne is seemingly prepared to draw a line in the sand with their demands. “Interior Health has made it very clear that they are willing to sit down and talk with, and they are talking with and have been for months, as the member indicates on this. IH has also heard form at least a dozen OBGYNs who are interested in perspective employment and they are discussing that with them as well.”

The OB-GYNs say they remain committed to patient care but felt forced to resign after years of burnout and unmanageable workloads. They say they’re still open to staying—if their concerns are addressed.