A sudden, coordinated resignation can feel like a thunderclap in a small city. That’s exactly what happened in Kamloops this month when seven obstetrician-gynecologists handed in resignations from their in-hospital privileges at Royal Inland Hospital. The move raises immediate staffing concerns, and longer-term questions about how we support maternal care outside major urban centres.
Below is a clear, scannable look at what happened, why it matters, and realistic steps that can help prevent another crisis.
What Happened
- Letter dated Oct. 11, 2025: Seven OB-GYNs sent a letter to community providers saying they could no longer continue with in-hospital care.
- Reasons cited: The doctors cited safety concerns caused by changing workloads, burnout, and a long history of recruitment problems.
- Immediate response: Interior Health acknowledged the resignations and said they’re working on recruitment, locum coverage and transition planning. Officials also tried to reassure the public that maternity services would continue in the short term.
Why This Matters
Loss of full-scope OB care:
When the entire in-hospital OB team steps away, low- and high-risk deliveries can be affected, even if some surgeries are covered by other specialists temporarily.
Ripple effects for patients:
Expectant parents may face longer waits, transfers to other hospitals, or reduced local continuity of care. Short-term fixes can be stressful for families.
Recruitment and retention spotlighted:
The letter makes clear this wasn’t sudden, it’s the result of years of recruitment problems and unresolved workplace issues.
Public trust in local health systems:
A mass resignation erodes confidence in hospitals and health authorities unless responses are transparent and fast.
Signals broader system strain:
Rural and regional hospitals across Canada face similar pressures, this is not only a Kamloops problem, it’s a national reflection of where resources get stretched thin.
What The Doctors Said
- They cited safety issues linked to changing workload and an ongoing inability to recruit and retain staff.
- Some physicians clarified they may continue outpatient gynecology work, but not full-scope in-hospital obstetrics.
- The group hoped their action would “galvanize” Interior Health and the provincial government to better support women’s health.
What Interior Health and Officials Have Said
- Interior Health (IH) described the resignations as “concerning” and said it’s actively working on recruitment and support.
- IH emphasized that maternity services remain open in the immediate term, and that locum doctors and other specialists can support surgical needs like C-sections while a plan is implemented.
Immediate Impacts For Patients – What To Expect
- Short-term continuity: Hospital leaders say births and emergency care will continue, but expect changes in who you see and possible transfers.
- Scheduling changes: Antenatal appointments and elective procedures may be rescheduled while staffing is rebalanced.
- Travel burden: Some patients may need to travel farther for certain services until local coverage is restored.
Questions to ask your care team:
- Who will deliver my baby if my OB is unavailable?
- Where would I be transferred in an emergency?
- How will prenatal care be coordinated during this transition?
Short-Term Fixes
- Bring in locum doctors (temporary specialists) to cover shifts.
- Remap responsibilities so other on-site specialists can cover urgent surgical needs.
- Increase recruitment outreach with sign-on bonuses, relocation packages, or targeted hiring fairs.
- Telemedicine support for consultations and triage while on-site staffing is unstable.
Real, Sustainable Solutions
- Competitive compensation and retention packages tailored for regional specialists.
- Workload redesign so that on-call schedules and administrative burdens don’t burn out teams.
- Clear provincial support for rural maternity care, funding, training pipelines, and fast recruitment pathways.
- Local partnerships with nearby health systems and universities to create rotation pipelines for early-career OB-GYNs.
- Community engagement so patients and local leaders understand steps taken and can pressure for lasting fixes.
Lessons From Similar Cases
- Other communities that lost OB teams found success when authorities combined immediate locum coverage with targeted incentives and public transparency.
- Quick communication to patients, not spin, helps maintain trust while longer hiring efforts proceed.
What Readers Can Do
- Expectant families: Contact your provider for a care plan and emergency transfer instructions.
- Community members: Ask local representatives what they’re doing to stabilize maternity care and offer to support awareness campaigns.
- Advocates: Push for reporting on concrete recruitment actions and timelines — not just reassurances.
Why This Moment Matters
A whole-group resignation like Kamloops’s is rare and serious. It forces a public conversation about how we value maternal health, especially in places outside major cities. If the province and health authority respond with speed, transparency, and real incentives, the outcome can be a stronger, safer system. If they don’t, patients and providers will continue to pay the price.
For now, stay informed, ask direct questions of your care team, and join the local conversation. This is one of those moments when community attention can help turn a crisis into a turning point.
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