HEALTHCARE – Study to look into access to cardiac care in Thompson region

The Thompson Regional Hospital District (TRHD) will provide in-kind funding for a third-party study on cardiac care outcomes.

The study has been initiated by a group that includes surgeons, cardiologists, local business leaders, community leaders, and philanthropists, and is being supported by the TRHD Board and Royal Inland Hospital Foundation.

According to a hospital district news release, it seeks to ensure equitable access to cardiac procedures for residents in the Thompson-Cariboo-Shuswap (TCS) health area, who often must travel to Kelowna for care due to a lack of cardiac services available at Royal Inland Hospital.

“The study is being fully funded by philanthropists advocating for cardiac care improvements.

“Since the spring of 2025, local healthcare professionals, community leaders, and the TRHD Board have requested the Minister of Health and Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) to provide cardiovascular data on health outcomes for TCS residents, which is public health data.

“Requests to the Minister of Health and PHSA have been made in person and in writing on multiple occasions. While both agencies have committed to providing this healthcare data, it has not been made available.”

The news release goes on to say that data requested has included, but is not limited to, frequency of adverse events including mortality resulting from delayed transport to Kelowna General Hospital from the TCS region, referral and completion timelines for catheterization procedures done in Kelowna for TCS residents, and more.”

“We are disappointed by the lack of willingness from the Minister of Health and PHSA to collaborate with local leaders and medical professionals on cardiac care improvements in Kamloops, but we hope for improved collaboration moving forward that will focus on equitable access to healthcare,” said TRHD board chair Mike O’Reilly.

While the TRHD is not funding the study directly, the board unanimously voted to support the initiative during its most recent meeting on March 26, 2026.