Kamloops obstetrical clinic threatened with closure due to lack of doctor coverage

KAMLOOPS — The Thompson Region Family Obstetrics (TRFO) clinic in Kamloops says its future is in doubt thanks to staffing pressures.

In a letter obtained by CFJC Today, TRFO principals Dr. Shaun Davis and Dr. Nagu Atmuri say the clinic has not been able to secure enough coverage in order to continue providing on-call services.

Dr. Grant del Begio provided obstetrical care to Kamloops for more than 25 years. He now works as a family doctor and with the Thompson Divisions of Family Practice.

Del Begio says for expectant parents, on-call services are critical.

“Having someone available when someone comes crashing through the doors to deliver a baby is extremely important,” del Begio told CFJC Today. “It’s very concerning — and concerning as a family doctor who refers, now, to TRFO regularly for patient care.”

The letter notes the clinic will not accept any new patients with a due date after July 31, 2023.

While there are some other obstetrical service available in Kamloops, del Begio says they are already “slammed” — and the Royal Inland Hospital emergency department is not a realistic option.

“Absolutely not,” del Begio chuckled, “and that would be, I’m sure, something the [emergency room doctors] would not claim expertise in and would not want to do. Nor is it a suitable place (for ongoing prenatal care).”

TRFO notes the issue has been building for years, with “fewer and fewer physicians” pursuing obstetrics.

Interior Health, the Ministry of Health and Thompson Divisions of Family Practice are all working with the clinic to recruit doctors, but del Begio notes the outlook is bleak.

“Wow. It’s a big concern for families going forward and it will be a concern for family doctors who may have to look outside community if we don’t have the service locally — which is a real shame.”

The full letter is reprinted below. CFJC Today has reached out to the clinic for comment and is awaiting a response.

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It is with great sadness that we are forced to notify the community of Kamloops and the surrounding area that the TRFO clinic will no longer be accepting referrals for patients with a due date after July 31, 2023.

We have been unable to secure staffing to provide coverage for our on-call service and so cannot safely continue to provide our service. This shortage has been gradually worsening over the past few years as fewer and fewer physicians choose to pursue obstetrics as part of their career.

We acknowledge that this will be very stressful for patients and the provider community and so we will continue to work with Interior Health and the Ministry of Health in hopes of finding a solution that will allow this clinic, which has become a cornerstone of obstetrical care in Kamloops, to continue to function.

In the interim, we would direct you to alternative resources that exist in our community. This includes the Kamloops Urgent Primary Care and Learning Centre, the Royal Inland Hospital Emergency Department, our colleagues at Mighty Oak Midwifery and our Obstetrical specialists.

In hopes of making this transition easier we have included some resources to try and guide your patients.

For unattached pregnant patients, we recommend using the Kamloops Primary Care Waitlist Priority Access Referral process to expedite attachment to a primary care provider (referral form attached). Please encourage patients to also connect with Health from the Start (1-855-868-7710) for additional support and information.

If you would like to voice your concerns please feel free to contact your local MLA, MP of for Interior Health you can contact the Patient Care Quality Office (1-877-442-2001 or email at pcqo@interiorhealth.ca).

On Behalf of the Doctors of the TRFO clinic…

Dr. Shaun Davis and Dr. Nagu Atmuri