File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Amandalina Letterio

ROYAL INLAND HOSPITAL

IH, Health Minister address claims of ‘toxic work environment’ at Royal Inland Hospital

Nov 19, 2021 | 3:22 PM

KAMLOOPS — Frustrated, angry and exhausted. Those are the words the BC Nurses Union is hearing from the staff at Royal Inland Hospital.

Union representative Scott Duvall says the best ratio to provide quality care is one nurse to five patients, but the staffing shortage is spreading them thin.

“As high as four nurses to between 34 and 38 patients — which provides with a 1:9 or 1:10 ratio,” Duvall said.

It’s an ongoing issue at the hospital. Executive Director of Clinical Operations RIH Tracey Rannie describes the workplace as ‘challenging.’

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“I’ve heard concerns that have been raised. One concern was that they didn’t feel as though they are being heard,” said Rannie.

“This is a priority for us, especially right now. The leadership team is listening, and we want to hear from our teams and we’re here on a daily basis working with them side-by-side,” she explained.

The staff frustrations at Royal Inland Hospital have made their way to Health Minister Adrian Dix. He says he hears the nurses concerns and recruitment is a top priority — with new hires already joining the team.

“Since Sept. 13, 63 new [registered nurses], 20 new [licensed practical nurses], six new healthcare assistants, in that short period alone,” Dix told CFJC News.

“There’s the recruitment — bring in the new. But how do we keep what we have?” Duvall replied.

The BC Nurses Union says those new hires haven’t made much of a difference. The number of complaints from the nurses has risen since September.

Duvall says if the government wants to keep nurses, it should ask them what it would take for them to stay.

“If they’re asked what some ideas are… like, ‘What can we do to keep you here? What can we do to make your day better?’ In addition to providing more staff,” said Duvall.

For months, the union has been hearing claims of a toxic work environment at Royal Inland Hospital.

Rannie says IH has been actively trying to improve the morale among surgeons, nurses and other healthcare staff.

“They just need to reach out if they want to have further conversations,” she said.

“We’re here with them; we’re walking with them. And we’re doing things like town halls, other communications, out on the units trying to support those other communications,” Rannie added.