RIH nursing situation ‘bad and getting worse’: Kamloops Mayor

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Kamloops’ Mayor Ken Christian chairs the Thompson Regional Hospital District and believes the situation is bad and getting worse at the hospital.

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“From our perspective, we’ve invested millions of dollars into a state-of-the-art facility. It can only be a state-of-the-art facility if it’s staffed. And without staff it’s nothing more than bricks and mortar,” said Christian.

Recently, Bass was given a staffing chart. The data covers May 12 to July 12, showing a severe lack of nursing staff.

“In that three-month period, the total number of hours that will not have nurses scheduled is 10,428-and-three-quarter hours. We are looking at 928 (shifts) in that three-month period when they won’t have enough staff,” added Bass.

“As we approach the opening of the Phil and Jennie Gaglardi Patient Care Tower on the 17th of July this year, we may not be in a position to fully staff that building. That’s something we’ve certainly warned them about and have been concerned about but it doesn’t seem to be getting any better,” stated Christian.

Bass fears if staffing levels continue to drop, RIH could following the path of hospitals in Clearwater or Merritt and see occasional weekend shutdowns. Thankfully, it’s not at that point yet in Kamloops, but it’s still a long road ahead.

“Royal Inland Hospital doesn’t belong to Sue Brown and the IHA, it doesn’t belong to Adrian Dix and the province. It’s our hospital — it’s Kamloops’ hospital. We have the right to have it run properly,” said Bass.