‘A full system reset now’: Kelowna MLA calling for Interior Health CEO to resign

**Editor's note: An article with comments from Interior Health and the BC government can be found at this link.**

A little more than three weeks into a minimum six-week closure of the general pediatric unit at Kelowna General Hospital (KGH), the BC Conservatives are calling for change at the top of Interior Health.

In a statement sent out Friday morning, Kelowna Mission MLA Gavin Dew called for Interior Health (IH) CEO Susan Brown to immediately resign.

Dew added that if Brown does not resign, Minister of Health Josie Osborne should take immediate action to dismiss Brown and appoint an interim CEO.

“For weeks, families, healthcare workers and community leaders across Kelowna and the Central Okanagan have been raising alarms about the state of healthcare in our region,” said Dew.

“Since the sudden closure of the pediatric unit at Kelowna General Hospital, there has been a growing drumbeat of letters and public comments from healthcare workers, pediatricians, gynecologists, specialists, and GPs expressing alarm about our crumbling healthcare system. Private discussions have been even more stark."

In recent weeks, several statements have been released by various groups of health professionals at KGH, including a statement released this past week by Doctors of BC on behalf of KGH pediatricians, which highlighted an exodus of colleagues over the past few years.

“More than half of these pediatricians signalled to Interior Health (IH) administration that their decision was impacted by the longstanding lack of resources and difficult work environment," they wrote.

“For many years, pediatricians have pleaded with the leadership at KGH and IH to address the severe shortage of pediatric resources.”

Dew recently did an interview with NowMedia and claimed he’s heard about a “culture of fear” at KGH, stating that IH employees are “genuinely fearful of speaking out” and even claim that “leadership is authoritarian.”

Brown confirmed in a recent interview with NowMedia that she had also heard similar comments.

“I’ve heard those comments recently too and they need to be addressed,” Brown told NowMedia.

“Like anything, unpacking it and where it’s coming from, and why it’s happening, is critical.”

Brown added that an open dialogue between IH and local pediatricians is ongoing and work is being done to address their concerns and learn what might interest them in returning to KGH.

Back in April, Interior Health announced that Brown would be retiring at the end of 2025. Brown has worked in the provincial health system for 34 years and has been the CEO of IH for the past seven.

"We are in a crisis right now, and we cannot wait six months for change,” said Dew.

“A turnaround of Interior Health cannot happen without rebuilding trust and reopening communication with frontline healthcare workers."

The Kelowna Mission MLA added that Interior Health needs strong new leadership to begin rebuilding public confidence and stabilizing its services.

“The status quo is not working,” said Dew. “We need change and a full system reset now.”

NowMedia has reached out to Interior Health for a comment on the matter.

_{Thumbnail photo courtesy of the Legislative Assembly of BC and Interior Health.}