Pediatric unit at Kelowna hospital to close for at least 6 weeks amid doctor shortage [Video]

An emergency department physician is sounding the alarm about staffing shortages within Interior Health following the announcement of an extended closure of the pediatric unit at Kelowna General Hospital (KGH).

In a statement, Interior Health says the service disruption to the KGH’s 10-bed inpatient general pediatrics unit will start Monday and last at least six weeks as pediatricians will be moved to the neonatal intensive care unit and high-risk deliveries. 

The health authority says it is making the temporary changes to pediatric care at the hospital to address scheduling gaps due to limited physician availability.

Dr. Jeff Eppler, an emergency department physician at KGH, said parents shouldn’t hesitate to bring their sick child to the emergency department to get the care they need.

“I think the contingency will be if the sick child comes in … if they need to be admitted then they are going to be staying in …