Various upgrades at the Royal Inland Hospital (RIH) in Kamloops are now open with other work nearing completion such as the first phase of emergency department renovations slated for completion by October 2024.
Three areas of Phase 2 renovations were completed over the summer which included enhancements to the post-anesthetic recovery (PAR) unit, pediatric unit and ambulance stretcher bays.
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.
“These important investments contribute significantly to how we deliver health care in Kamloops and surrounding communities in the Interior,” said Minister of Health Adrian Dix. “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.”
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.
