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Interior Health reports birthrate baby bump
Last year, Interior Health welcomed 6,136 newborns in its hospitals, an increase of 489 births or a nine per cent increase over 2020.
“Interior Health is happily welcoming our tiniest patients to the world as communities grow throughout the region,” said Interior Health president and CEO, Susan Brown. “I would like to congratulate all of the families who welcomed newborns last year and thank our dedicated maternity teams for ensuring the highest quality of care for these little ones and their families.”
Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital in Trail saw the largest percentage increase with a 30% increase in births compared to 2020. Kelowna General Hospital saw the largest increase in births with 197 more babies being born in 2021 compared to the previous year.
East Kootenay Regional Hospital (pictured above) saw a five per cent increase, while Invermere and District Hospital had a 15% increase, with two more babies born in the facility in 2021 over 2020.
Elk Valley Hospital also saw two more babies born in 2021 with 119 – a two per cent increase.
In 2021, Interior Health saw an average of 511 births per month, while in 2020, the average was 471 births per month.
| IH Hospital | 2020 | 2021 | # Change | % Change |
| Cariboo Memorial Hospital | 299 | 296 | -3 | -1% |
| Creston Valley Hospital | 53 | 50 | -3 | -6% |
| East Kootenay Regional Hospital | 391 | 409 | 18 | 5% |
| Elk Valley Hospital | 117 | 119 | 2 | 2% |
| Golden & District Hospital | 58 | 58 | 0 | 0% |
| Invermere & District Hospital | 13 | 15 | 2 | 15% |
| Kelowna General Hospital | 1,611 | 1,808 | 197 | 12% |
| Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital | 182 | 236 | 54 | 30% |
| Kootenay Lake Hospital | 239 | 254 | 15 | 6% |
| Penticton Regional Hospital | 465 | 570 | 105 | 23% |
| Queen Victoria Hospital | 77 | 82 | 5 | 6% |
| Royal Inland Hospital | 1,186 | 1,228 | 42 | 4% |
| Shuswap Lake General Hospital | 172 | 174 | 2 | 1% |
| Vernon Jubilee Hospital | 771 | 827 | 56 | 7% |
| Other IH Hospitals* | 13 | 10 | -3 | -23% |
| Total Hospital Births | 5,647 | 6,136 | 489 | 9% |
Other hospitals include 100 Mile House District Hospital, Boundary Hospital, Lillooet Hospital, Nicola Valley Hospital, and South Okanagan General Hospital.
e-KNOW file photos
e-KNOW
