The Thompson Region Division of Family Practice (the Division) is committed to collaborating with local partners to leverage resources and enhance supports in our communities. A key part of this work involves connecting Division members with professional development opportunities that equip them with the tools and knowledge they need to navigate complex health care situations and ensure optimal outcomes for patients.

On November 7-8, 2025, more than 25 healthcare providers, including Registered Midwives, Registered Nurses and Family Physicians from Royal Inland Hospital (RIH) came together for the Advances in Labour And Risk Management (ALARM) course, strengthening both knowledge and hands-on skills in maternity care. As a nationally recognized, evidence-based training developed by the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, and with a focus on pregnancy, intrapartum, and postpartum care, the ALARM course aims to improve care for both pregnant people and their babies.

After over a year of planning and coordination, Elaine Barnes, Midwifery Department Head at RIH, realized her vision of bringing the ALARM course to Kamloops for her colleagues.

“I wanted to bring ALARM to Kamloops because families in our region deserve the very best maternity care,” shared Elaine. “We serve a vast geographic area, with rural and Indigenous families often traveling long distances for care, so building skills and capacity locally matters deeply.”

Beyond Elaine’s leadership and vision, the ALARM course was made possible through the support of several community partners who care deeply about maternity services in the Thompson Region.

The Division played a key role to help bring the course to Kamloops, working closely with Elaine to reduce the administrative burden, coordinate logistics, and secure funding, helping ensure a smooth and inclusive learning experience for everyone involved.

“We were able to secure funding through the help of the RIH Foundation, who approached the Afternoon Auxiliary who generously covered the full registration cost for participants,” noted Melanie Todd, Senior Manager with the Division. “This generous sponsorship allowed local healthcare providers to access this essential training, which ultimately helps to strengthen maternity care and improve health outcomes across our region.”

The Afternoon Auxiliary is an incorporated registered society and charity working to provide special patient care equipment for RIH. Their generosity reflects how deeply our community values maternity care and recognizes that investing in education for healthcare providers directly benefits families.

“The Auxiliary was established in 1899 to help the community receive the best medical care possible,” shared member and president Cindy Cordonier. “We sponsored the ALARM course to help our front-line workers receive the best training possible for mothers and their babies to have the best care and outcome without worry. When we help people receive top notch care at Royal Inland Hospital, we have done our job.”

The sponsorship was met with deep gratitude from attendees, who expressed how meaningful the support was.

As one participant noted, “What a beautiful surprise to hear of your generous support towards ALARM and women’s health in Kamloops. We are in a difficult time right now and it is such a blessing to feel supported. Keep up the great work.”

Similarly, another attendee shared, “I really appreciate the financial support you have provided for our amazing experience with the ALARM course to support healthcare providers.”

During the two-day training, participants learnt through simulation, case-based scenarios, and team drills, covering everything from shoulder dystocia and postpartum hemorrhage to effective communication in high-stakes situations.

“As both a midwife and an educator, seeing this course come to life here has been incredibly meaningful. It represents the kind of collaboration, learning, and mutual support that sustain our profession and gives us hope during one of the most challenging times for maternity care in the Interior,” said Elaine.

Overall, the ALARM course provided clinicians with an opportunity to practice emergency scenarios in a supportive environment. That hands-on experience builds technical skill, teamwork, and communication, providing attendees with experience that can make the difference in real emergency situations. This kind of training also helps healthcare professionals speak the same language across disciplines.

“When nurses, midwives, and physicians train together, we strengthen trust, confidence, and deepen our collective understanding,” explained Elaine. “Maternity care is constantly evolving, and this course keeps us aligned with the most up-to-date evidence and best practices. It will help to ensure every member of the care team can respond quickly, confidently, and cohesively to improve outcomes for birthing families and ultimately deliver the highest quality of care.”

This cross-organizational collaboration to bring the ALARM course to Kamloops enabled local providers to train closer to home, strengthen professional networks and teamwork, improve accessibility through full funding support, and provide a much-needed boost to morale for those on the frontlines of maternity care.

“It’s a wonderful example of what happens when we work together toward a shared goal of safer births and stronger teams,” added Elaine. “When we learn together, we care better – both for our patients and for each other.”