Diagnosed with terminal cancer, John Erickson had just started his chemotherapy at Vernon Jubilee Hospital on Oct. 18, 2023. Despite his grim diagnosis, he was delighted to learn of a special parking area for cancer patients on the west side of the hospital near a handy side entrance, leading right to the McMurtry-Baerg Cancer Centre.

B次元官网网址淚t was working so perfect,B次元官网网址� said Erickson, 77.

But not long after he started his treatments he was surprised to find the entrance was closed one day in November.

Flu season prompted Interior Health (IH) to close the entrance and divert patients through the main doors.

B次元官网网址淲e have to go all the way around to enter emergency and we have to go through all these people who are sick, coughing and sneezing,B次元官网网址� said Erickson. B次元官网网址淚t just doesnB次元官网网址檛 make any sense at all, not to anybody that works there or anybody getting treatment.B次元官网网址�

With no walk-in clinics in Vernon, Erickson said there is never less than 10 people in the emergency waiting room.

He is told there are about 100 people a day being treated at the cancer clinic, all of whom must make this detour that not only puts them in proximity of illnesses, but forces them to walk much further.

For a healthy individual, the walk is fine, but as Erickson explains, someone going through cancer treatments canB次元官网网址檛 withstand the winds or cold as easy.

B次元官网网址淚f the wind were any worse, I wouldnB次元官网网址檛 be able to talk,B次元官网网址� he told The Morning Star outside the west entrance.

IH says the entrance is closed in compliance with the enhanced respiratory illness season orders issued by the Provincial Health Officer.

B次元官网网址淧atients and their visitors must attend an entrance that has patient ambassadors to complete the screening and masking requirements,B次元官网网址� IH told The Morning Star.

But Erickson says it is completely redundant for cancer patients, who already have to wear a mask in the clinic anyway.

B次元官网网址淭hey do things that donB次元官网网址檛 make sense but this one takes the cake as the stupidest,B次元官网网址� said Erickson.

He has tried to reach out to every level of government possible, including IH, to visit the site and see the situation for themselves.

But heB次元官网网址檚 been given the run around time and again.

IH has also told him that it anticipates the west entrance will be reopened at the end of March.

Erickson will be done his cancer treatments by then, and isnB次元官网网址檛 sure if he will make it to Christmas this year.

But he hopes his efforts make a difference in future decision making.

In the meantime, IH says it appreciates the mobility challenge the added distance presents and invites patients needing a porter to bring them to the cancer centre to call the main switchboard at the hospital.

B次元官网网址淚nterior Health is committed to ensuring the safety of all patients, particularly those who are more vulnerable during the respiratory illness season.B次元官网网址�

Respiratory season generally runs from October to March each year but is subject to extension by the Provincial Health Officer.

READ MORE:

READ MORE: