Interior Health (IH) is partnering with health organizations in the Vernon area to offer greater access to maternity care services in the community.
The Orchard Maternity Vernon (OMV) clinic, located at the Vernon Health Unit at 1440 14th Avenue, is providing prenatal care to low-risk pregnancies through the first six to eight weeks following the baby’s birth.
“Strong maternity care is vital in smaller communities like Vernon,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “That’s why we’re taking action to improve access to prenatal and post birth care while strengthening a team-based system families can count on. Investments like this is help ensure more people receive the quality care they need, close to home, at every stage of life, and show what’s possible when partners come together.”
The clinic, which opened this March, has benefitted from strong collaboration between IH, the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation (VJHF), the Shuswap North Okanagan (SNO) Division of Family Practice and the SNO Primary Care Network. These groups are contributing staff, office space, equipment, digital systems and design support.
“Orchard Maternity Vernon is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when health partners work together toward a shared community goal,” said Sylvia Weir, president and CEO, Interior Health. “This new clinic expands access to high quality maternity care in Vernon with the added benefit of having access to aligned public health services under the same roof. The clinic also plays an important role in supporting future physician recruitment by offering medical residents work experience opportunities.”
Co-locating maternity care with primary care and public-health means patients can easily access a number of important services under one roof. OMV services will also complement the maternity care offered at the existing Centreville Clinic in Vernon and referrals to both locations will be managed through one centralized service.
“This is such a great news for families in Vernon and the surrounding communities, and healthcare sector. Said Harwinder Sandhu, MLA for Vernon-Lumby. As a mother, and a long-time registered nurse, I understand the importance of being able to access maternity care close to home at a time when it matters most. Orchard Maternity Vernon reflects the strength of local partnerships, and dedication of their entire team will help ensure families have the support they need with high-quality, patient centred care right here in our community.”
Primary care physicians, a specialist perinatal nurse and a medical office assistant will work out of the clinic, supported by existing Ministry of Health funding through the Primary Care Network.
“Orchard Maternity Vernon demonstrates the strength of true partnership — particularly when physicians are engaged from the outset,” said Dr. Mark Ansdell, Physician Lead, SNO Division of Family Practice. “By bringing frontline clinical insight into the design and implementation of services, we can deliver practical, patient-centered care that meets the needs of families in our community.”
The SNO Division of Family Practice, the organization representing local physicians in the Shuswap North Okanagan, has developed the OMV’s website and supported physician participation in the development of clinic processes. More than $124,000 in donations provided by the VJHF supported equipment purchases, including barrier-free exam tables, an ultrasound machine, fetal heart monitors, an electronic medical records system and renovations to the facility.
Work to strengthen maternity care in the Vernon area and throughout IH also continues through the new Maternity, Newborn, Child and Youth program, which employs a more integrated team-based approach to better support pregnant mothers and families throughout their pregnancies. This model brings together physicians, midwives, nurses, allied health professionals and community partners to provide seamless, patient-centered care.
OMV is one of many steps IH is taking to improve care for families in the area. A new permanent Obstetrician and Gynaecologist (OBGYN) physician started at VJH in February with another scheduled to start in June 2026. These new recruits along with our existing providers and locum OBGYNs continue to support more complex maternity care at VJH as part of a multi-disciplinary care team in the North Okanagan. New permanent and casual perinatal Registered Nurses(RNs) have also joined the VJH Maternity unit and additional nursing staff is expected to join the team this spring and summer.
Vernon and area residents who are seeking maternity care can visit orchardmaternity.ca to learn more.
