Nanci Macdonald, a Kelowna resident, expressed gratitude for her care at Kelowna General Hospital (KGH) despite experiencing serious kidney issues.
Macdonald, who has been in and out of KGH for two years, praised the staff but criticized being treated in hallways, citing a lack of privacy and constant disruptions. She described hallway care as "scary at times."
The persistent issue of "hallway health care" was highlighted in the legislature, with MLA Gavin Dew questioning why two hospital floors remain empty and unfinished 13 years after the Centennial Tower opened.
Dew stated that up to 50 patients can be found in hallways at KGH, emphasizing that these unofficial beds are unsafe, lack proper monitoring, and are undignified.
Infrastructure Minister Bowinn Ma acknowledged more work is needed and that Budget 2026 continues to invest in hospital projects. However, neither Interior Health nor the province provided timelines for the opening of the unused fifth and sixth floors, which were intended as surge space.
In an email, Ma stated, "We recognize there are on-going concerns with patient space at Kelowna General Hospital" and that they will work with Interior Health to address infrastructure priorities and staffing.
Dew criticized the situation, stating that people are left "to languish in hallways" instead of utilizing the built-in expansion space.