OBGYNs warn government of looming maternity crisis

More than 100 OB/GYNs in British Columbia warn of an impending maternity health care crisis, following the resignation of their colleagues from Interior Health. The 128 physicians criticize "untenable and unsafe working conditions" and a lack of meaningful government response to their ongoing concerns. The resignation of the entire OB/GYN department at Kamloops’ Royal Inland Hospital was officially attributed to personal reasons, but the doctors argue it reflects deeper systemic issues. Dr. Chelsea Elwood, vice president of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists BC, states that these resignations are a desperate measure, impacting pregnant women who face uncertainty about local support.

The letter also condemns the reliance on temporary locum physicians, which fails to provide a sustainable solution. Elwood points out that many gynecologists are also facing backlogs in cancer surgeries, with wait times exceeding 12 to 18 months in some areas. During a recent question period, Conservative MLA Trevor Halford confronted Health Minister Josie Osborne about the situation. Osborne responded by pledging to invest in expanding healthcare infrastructure across the province.