‘A serious risk’: MLAs raise alarm as expecting mothers face possibility of transfer to Prince George and beyond

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. —  Local politicians are raising the alarm about the possibility of maternity patients in the northeast being transferred as far as Kamloops to receive care after warnings of service gaps come August. 

On July 21st, Northern Health announced on Facebook maternity patients could seek medical care at the labour and delivery department of the University Hospital of Northern British Columbia (UHNBC) in Prince George.

The announcement also warned of possible “gaps in specialists coverage beginning in August,” which could lead to service reductions or transfers for pregnant residents of the northeast. 

UHNBC also cautioned some residents that if they are transferred to Prince George from elsewhere in northeast B.C., they may then be transferred elsewhere outside Northern Health. 

Northern Health told Energeticcity.ca the announcement was intended to inform residents, especially those who are at high risk, so they can make educated decisions regarding their maternity care. 

Since the announcement, northeast B.C. MLAs have vocalized their concerns for the state of healthcare in the region. 

Peace River North MLA Jordan Kealy wrote about the situation in a Facebook post, saying it was more than just “poor planning,” but rather a “systemic collapse.” 

Kealy wrote: “We hear the same lines over and over, ‘we’re recruiting, we’re hiring locums, we’re doing everything we can,’ but nobody is asking the hard questions, why is this happening? Why are healthcare workers leaving? Why are we always reacting instead of planning?” 

Peace River South MLA Larry Neufeld also posted on Facebook, highlighting Dawson Creek’s lack of an obstetrician-gynecologist since May.

“This isn’t just a service gap, it’s a serious risk to women and families in our region,” Neufeld said. 

“Expecting mothers with complications are being forced to travel to Fort St. John for proper care, that’s not sustainable and it’s not safe.”

The Conservative Party of B.C. also issued a news release regarding possible maternity care reductions in Kamloops, and the possibility of patient transfers from Northern Health to Interior Health. 

“Poor planning, a failure to invest in stabilizing nurse and physician staffing and a lack of oversight and accountability for regional health authorities have resulted in cascading failures throughout the province,” Peter Milobar, the MLA of Kamloops Centre said in the release. 

“These dual crises come on the heels of weeks of turmoil at Kelowna General Hospital, where the pediatric unit was closed for six weeks.” 

Northern Health explained residents will always have access to medical care throughout the duration of their pregnancy. 

“How patients access care, whether through their primary care provider, their local birthing centre or maternity unit, or their local emergency department for emergency needs, is not changing,” Eryn Collins, the public affairs and media relations regional director for Northern Health, said. 

“It is awareness of the potential for the care experience to be different, such as potentially needing transfer to an alternate site for a safe birth experience.” 

When speaking with Interior Health, Energeticcity.ca was told the Royal Inland Hospital (RIH) in Kamloops works “collaboratively” with other hospitals in the province to provide patients with “care they need, when they need it.”

“Similar to other tertiary hospitals in the province, RIH receives notification when neighbouring hospitals need to transfer patients to a higher level of care and can support when we have capacity,” Jennie Bui, a communications and engagement consultant with Interior Health, said. 

“Maternity care transfers are coordinated provincially by BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS), in partnership with a team of medical specialists at BC Women’s Hospital.” 

In a statement to Energeticcity.ca, BCEHS stated it has a team which provides patient transfer services between hospitals “at the request of sending and receiving healthcare facilities.” 

“This team works closely with hospitals, doctors and ambulance services to make sure that the patient is transferred to the right place and with the appropriate care,” BCEHS stated. 

Energeticcity.ca is looking to speak to expecting mothers in northeast B.C. about their views on this news. If you wish to share your story of seeking care with Northern Health, contact us at 250-797-7100 or contact@energeticcity.ca.