Patients in Kamloops now have improved access to services as upgrades at the Royal Inland Hospital (RIH) are complete, including enhancements to the post-anesthetic recovery (PAR) unit, pediatric unit and ambulance stretcher bays.
“These important investments contribute significantly to how we deliver health care in Kamloops and surrounding communities in the Interior,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “The ongoing renovations at Royal Inland Hospital will help to improve patients’ and visitors’ experiences, streamline care and prioritize privacy and safety and we are excited about the progress that has been made.”
Phase 2 renovations will deliver major improvements and modernizations to RIH. This includes the first phase of emergency department renovations slated for completion by October 2024.
Patients and staff are already benefiting from the following Phase 2 upgrades that were completed in July and August 2024:
- the Afternoon Auxiliary to the RIH PAR unit, which opened July 3, has been modified to improve the efficiency of each room so staff can better monitor patients and provide post-surgical care, while also improving efficiency in each operating room;
- the pediatric unit, which opened July 23, has been customized with designs and amenities for young patients and their caregivers, focused on enhancing family-centred care; and
- six ambulance stretcher bays, which opened Aug. 13, come with dedicated headwall units and equipment to help move patients from ambulances safely and efficiently.
“Interior Health has significantly expanded services available at Royal Inland Hospital, thanks to the opening of the Phil and Jennie Gaglardi Tower,” said Susan Brown, president and CEO, Interior Health. “The Phase 2 enhancements demonstrate our ongoing commitment to improving care for patients and families. With expanded capacity, modernized spaces and upgraded equipment, we’re also supporting our care teams and attracting new health professionals.”
The remaining Phase 2 renovations that will be completed in 2024, include:
- the first phase of the Teck Emergency Department (ED), which will create more triage rooms and a new entrance to improve patient access as well as flow;
- the first stage of the morgue renovation, comprising a new entrance, cooler room and autopsy suite; and
- a daycare surgery elevator lobby upgrade.
The later stages of the morgue renovation and the public concourse are expected to be complete in 2025, with the remaining ED renovations scheduled for completion by fall 2026. All of these improvements are part of the larger RIH patient care tower project, which is expected to be finished by the end of 2026.
The RIH patient care tower project is a collaboration between the Ministry of Health, Interior Health, the Royal Inland Hospital Foundation and the Thompson Regional Hospital District. This project included construction of the 107-bed Phil and Jennie Gaglardi Tower, which opened to patients in 2022.
The cost of the project is approximately $457 million. The provincial government contributed $243 million, the Thompson Regional Hospital District contributed $172 million, Interior Health contributed $22 million, and the RIH Foundation provided $20 million, which will go toward the purchase of equipment.
