Pediatricians in Kelowna are speaking out after the pediatric ward at Kelowna General Hospital (KGH) was forced to shut down amid a shortage of staff.
The crisis, which they describe as “devastating,” has been years in the making, with repeated warnings ignored by health officials, a statement from Doctors of BC on behalf of pediatricians in Kelowna said Monday morning.
Currently, only four pediatricians and one newborn specialist remain at KGH, far fewer than the 12 needed to provide adequate care.
It said these professionals are working around the clock to keep critical services like the neonatal intensive care unit operational, ensuring the sickest and most vulnerable babies still receive care.
Interior Health previously attributed the closure to a nationwide shortage of pediatricians.
However, KGH pediatricians argue the real issue lies in the hospital’s severe and chronic lack of resources, which has created an unsustainable work environment.
Seven pediatricians resigned from KGH in 2023, with the majority citing inadequate resources and a difficult work environment as key factors in their decision to leave.
“Pediatricians, often working alone, are tasked with caring for critically ill children across multiple hospital areas simultaneously,” the group stated. This includes managing patients in the children’s ward, emergency room, neonatal intensive care, labor and delivery, and even adult ICU.
They said this is both unsafe and unmanageable for a single physician, further highlighting resource shortages that have made the job untenable.
The doctors are now calling for urgent action, stating that a new model of care is desperately needed for pediatric services at KGH.
They said this model must include pediatric intensive care, neonatal care, and subspecialty and surgical services, along with the necessary equipment and expert staff to provide safe and high-quality care.
“This lack of resources is unfair to the children of the Interior Health region,” said the pediatricians, adding that they foresaw the closure coming and had tried to prevent it.
They are urging the Minister of Health and Interior Health to address the crisis immediately. The group also called on the public to speak up by contacting local MLAs and sharing their stories on social media, showing health leaders that the issue matters.
To their colleagues at KGH, the pediatricians expressed gratitude, thanking them for keeping the pediatric service running for as long as it has, even with limited resources.
The statement was signed by 13 pediatricians, including Drs. Vanessa Bedard, Brianna Broussard, and Neelesh Ranchod.
They emphasized that without immediate action, the situation will remain dire for children in the region.
