Kelowna’s pediatric unit closure sparks outrages in parliament

After the Ministry of Health in B.C. announced the temporary closure of Kelowna General Hospital’s pediatric unit, the B.C. Conservatives expressed outrage in parliament.

Conservative MLAs criticized Health Minister Josie Osborne strongly on the closure during a question period on Wednesday, May 28.

The pediatric unit at Kelowna General Hospital will be closed for about six weeks as the hospital deals with a pediatric shortage, announces the B.C.’s Ministry of Health.

The Conservative Party says this development is a major concern to parents in the Okanagan.

“There is no coverage plan, no extra support, and no additional resources,” criticized Kelowna Centre MLA Kristina Loewen.

Members of the opposition say even doctors at the hospital were blindsided and are now having to step in to provide pediatric coverage without proper training.

“Nurses are overwhelmed and ER doctors are being forced to cover pediatric emergencies without training. One doctor said, quote ‘I guess I’m a pediatrician now,’” Loewen added.

Health Minister Osborne says she knows it is distressing for parents to hear about the temporary closure.

“They do have a shortage of pediatricians inside the hospital right now,” she explained.

“The good news is that there are two pediatricians that have signed contracts. One starting in July,” she added.

According to Osborne, children will still receive critical or emergency care at the hospital.

West Kelowna-Peachland MLA Macklin McCall says the healthcare model had major problems before this.

“This is not a doctor shortage, it is a full-blown pediatric care crisis,” he said.

“This unsafe staffing model forces one pediatrician to cover the ward, psychiatric care, emergency, the NICU, and high-risk deliveries, all at once,” he criticized.