IH: Renal in-patient ward not closing
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Updated: October 29, 2009 10:09 PM
The BCNU has been forced to backtrack on its claim that Interior Health plans to close a renal unit at Kelowna General Hospital as well as four isolation rooms to house seniors.
Earlier this week, the union said the renal in-patient ward is being converted to an alternate level of care unit, meaning patients would be “shuffled” out to various locations.
But the IHA says, while a home for the ALC unit is being sought, the decision has been made not to put it where the renal unit is now located.
And IHA spokeswoman Karen Cairns said the four isolation rooms, that are located on the same floor but not in the same ward, will not be closed. The union said the rooms are in the ward that was to be changed.
But when asked about it Thursday, BCNU president Debra McPherson said new information had come to light and it doesn’t appear the renal unit would be converted.
“But no definite decision has been announced,” she added.
Mary Jane Cullen, IH health services administrator for community and acute care in the Central Okanagan, said a final decision has been made.
While no location has yet been found for the new ALC unit, which will house patients who have been admitted and treated but are not yet ready to leave the hospital, it will not go where the renal unit and isolation rooms are located.
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