Interior Health balancing transition plans, recruitment, and potential for retention ahead of expected OB-GYN exodus

The staggered resignations of all seven OB-GYNs at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops have spurred a community rally as well as heated discussion in the BC Legislature this week.

Interior Health says it is not an ideal position for it to be in. However, they said they are exploring what options can be used to prevent major gaps in obstetrics and gynecology care three months from now, when those doctors are finished with in-hospital duties.

Dr. Mark Masterson, Interior Health’s vice-president of medicine, said recruitment for their replacements is underway, though he told CFJC Friday (Oct. 24) that the health authority hopes something can be done to avoid the mass exodus.

“The door is open, we’re keen to work with the gynecologists’ obstetricians who currently reside in Kamloops, and are still looking at recruitment options and how we’d support a transition that ensures care is ongoing for patients in the Kamloops region,” Masterson said.

As for the workload strain cited by the doctors in a letter sent out earlier this week, Masterson says the health authority is willing to explore different practice models.

“We’re absolutely open to looking at different ways of structuring,” he said. “I think we’ve shown that through building clinics, changing the access to operating time for C-sections, and if there are other things that need to be done, we’re more than open to the conversation as long as it’s being done with the intent of meeting the needs of patients in the region.”

Asked about other areas in the hospital being short-staffed, IH says their push to recruit isn’t isolated to the OB department. Sources to CFJC have said that cardiologists and gastroenterologists have also raised similar workload concerns with the health authority.

“We have active recruitment campaigns for a variety of specialists for Kamloops,” explains Masterson. “Both to solidify existing programs, but also to help grow and expand other programs that have been invested in, and targeted for the Kamloops region.”

Part of the heightened push to get more OBs to Kamloops lies in timing. Barring any eleventh-hour bailout that would make the physicians stay at RIH, the departure of those doctors will come around the same time as the closure of the Thompson Regional Family Obstetrics clinic – the region’s largest obstetrics clinic that operates out of the hospital.

Masterson was asked about this timing, and he said IH is doing what it can to keep services available.

“I know that answer is a hard one and can lead to some anxiety for people in the community,” Masterson said. “We’ve absolutely heard the fear from community members and leaders of the community.”

“We share the concern and that’s why no stone is being left unturned and every effort is being made to look at solutions and ensure that we don’t get to a point where there isn’t care available.”

As it stands, the health authority reiterates that medical care across the board is still available, and its urging people who need care to go to Royal Inland Hospital.