Uncertainty during Kelowna pediatric ward closure

As Kelowna General Hospital enters its fifth-week without a dedicated pediatric unit, local politicians want the minister to meet with health-care workers.

The closure of the pediatric unit in Kelowna General Hospital was said to last six weeks when Interior Health made the announcement on May 21. But as that deadline nears, there is less clarity as to if that deadline will be met.

Gavin Dew, MLA for Kelowna-Mission, is losing hope.

“My confidence in the Minister of Health is diminishing by the day,” he said.

Health Minister Josie Osborne was not available for an interview Monday, but the ministry sent CTV News a statement from Interior Health CEO Susan Brown, which said “the goal is to reopen the inpatient pediatric unit as soon as it is safe and feasible,” without providing an exact date.

“The inability of the minister to communicate a clear timeline is emblematic of the lack of a clear plan, lack of a clear approach and the lack of clear leadership,” said Dew.

Emergency physician Dr. Jeffrey Eppler says the focus shouldn’t be the politics.

“This is about children; it’s not about politics. It existed long before the NDP took government,” he said.

Castanet reported that last Thursday, a three-year-old Kelowna boy who broke his arm couldn’t receive surgery at KGH due to the closure. Kamloops, Vernon and Penticton were unable to take him, so it wasn’t until 10 a.m. the next morning when the boy was taken via plane to Vancouver for proper treatment at BC Children’s Hospital.

“The uncertainty that every family in Kelowna and the broader catchment area of Interior Health is dealing with- we don’t know if the medical system we’re paying for that we rely on will be there when we need,” said Dew.

A town hall is being planned for July 2 to discuss the health care crisis. The Health Minister has been invited to the event – but whether or not she’ll be there is still unclear.