LETTER – Care at RIH was awesome but more chairs are needed in triage

I recently spent a few days in Royal Inland Hospital on the cardiac ward and I feel a need to tell all of Kamloops what a positive experience it was. From the time I was admitted to the ER until I was discharged from 7North four days later, the care I received was far beyond what I had expected.

Without exception, every single person I came in contact with (doctors, nurses, care aides, housekeepers, lab techs, etc) was so kind and caring. This was my first time in a hospital and I am 77 years old. I had always been very apprehensive about ever having to stay in the hospital but I will NOT be afraid anymore. Thank you all for looking after me and putting me at ease.

The only negative about the entire experience was the triage system and I hope something can be done about this. I had to wait 2 1/2 hours to be triaged. By the time I got in, the lineup of people behind me, STANDING and waiting to be triaged, was huge. Why aren’t there more chairs? Everyone there is sick in one way or another and they must sometimes stand for hours.

When you enter the hospital you are told to go and wait in the RED chairs for triage. I think there are only six red chairs!! Why can’t there be a supply of folding chairs available for busy times? They don’t even have to be RED! The wait wouldn’t be nearly so bad if you could at least be sitting down.

Once you’re in, the care is the best. Its the waiting to get in that is so bad.

Again, thank you to everyone at Royal Inland Hospital!! You are all awesome!!

S. CORNIES,
Kamloops