Specialists Shortage Threatens Maternity Care in Northern B.C.

Health authorities in British Columbia have issued a warning regarding potential reductions in maternity care services due to a shortage of obstetric specialists. Beginning in August 2025, the only facility equipped to manage high-risk pregnancies in northern B.C., Prince George’s University Hospital of Northern B.C., may not have sufficient specialists available. This shortage could necessitate the transfer of patients to hospitals located hundreds of kilometres away for necessary care.

According to a statement from Northern Health’s obstetrics department, “Gaps in specialist coverage beginning in August 2025 have the potential to require service reductions.” The statement also indicated that transfers to other centres in the province would occur at no cost to the patients involved, ensuring the safety of both mothers and their babies.

The potential disruption has raised significant concerns among local politicians. B.C. Conservative MLA Kiel Giddens, who represents the Prince George-Mackenzie area, expressed his dismay, stating, “We can’t expect pregnant women to have to travel all the way to Kamloops, Kelowna or Vancouver to deliver a baby. We need that basic standard of care here in northern B.C.”

In response to the specialist shortage, B.C. Health Minister Josie Osborne addressed the issue during an unrelated news conference. She emphasized that health authorities are actively working to alleviate the situation by collaborating with physicians and care teams to ensure that maternity services remain accessible.

The shortage of obstetrics specialists compounds existing challenges in primary care and emergency room services, particularly in rural communities. Paul Adams, executive director of the BC Rural Health Network, highlighted the gravity of the situation, stating, “Obstetrics is of additional concern because we’re dealing now with two lives, that of a mother and a child.”

In addition to the issues facing Prince George’s University Hospital, physician shortages are impacting the maternity department at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops. This facility is also expected to experience strain through August. A public service announcement from Interior Health noted that patients without a primary or maternal care provider might need to be transferred from Royal Inland Hospital to other hospitals for delivery if they require specialized care or have an unknown care history.

Pete Bosma, executive medical director for Interior Health North, clarified, “If somebody does not have a care provider they will still be assessed to determine if they are in active or inactive labour.” The decision to transfer patients will depend on individual circumstances at the time of assessment.

To address the gaps in care, locum physicians are being sourced from other regions. However, Adams cautioned that these service cuts place additional pressure on smaller communities that depend on hospitals in Kamloops and Prince George for maternity care. He described the current system as outdated and too focused on urban areas.

These disruptions to maternity care come shortly after some pediatric services were reinstated at Kelowna General Hospital, following a seven-week closure. The ongoing challenges faced by healthcare systems in British Columbia underscore the need for urgent reforms to ensure that residents in both urban and rural areas receive the care they need.