The Nelson Hospital Blood Lab lab had 13 patients waiting today, and then all the lab staff disappeared at 10am for 25 minutes and there was NO STAFF to be found. Turns out they just left all and had a 25 minute all staff meeting during the work day with patients waiting. I was appalled. Most of the patients waiting were elderly patients with appointments. 1 elderly patient was on an oxygen tank ,and 1 elderly woman had been fasting for 14 hours, and the staff knew all this, and didn't care. The fasting woman had a 9:30am appointment & they didn't call her in at 10:30am after their meeting. This is a pandemic and this is how they treat people who are at risk! When I finally had my blood taken I asked where everyone went and they told me about the staff meeting. I asked if it was normal to have all staff meetings while open with patients & the tech said “Yes always, it’s the only time we are all here". I was pretty shocked for them to openly show during a pandemic where their priorities lie. The lab open sat 8am and were fully booked with appointments all day, and then all the staff just disappeared for 25 minutes, and ignored everyone's appointment times. I felt so bad for the elderly woman on oxygen waiting for so long. I hope the blood lab gets new leadership that makes patients a priority.

Easily the worst hospital I’ve ever attended. Empty waiting room yet still I’m forced to wait 3+ hours to get anywhere

Personally have not visited this hospital. But, the fact that an unvaccinated person cannot visit their mother in hospital is ridiculous. It is proven that the vaxxed and the unvaxxed are equal risks. If the mother’s health is your priority, suit this gentleman up then, in a gown, mask etc. and of course, do the same for All visitors. Otherwise, sanitize the hands, and let the love of a son, be the ultimate medication that could will this mother to heal.

I have been admitted to this hospital on two separate occasions through the ER. I have to say, having a background in the health profession, I was given excellent care in a very timely fashion by sincere, caring & knowledgeable staff. Also the nursing staff up on the wards work hard to provide you with quality care. Thankful for care received here.

I gave birth here back in May, and the nurses on the maternity ward were AMAZING!! You could tell that they really loved their job and were so happy to support me whenever I needed ❤️

The worst experience I had in the hospital. I went in for severe ear pain and headache. Dr. Sebastian Hetu-Hade told me "I don't have a great answer for you" and then sarcastically said "I can't invent a new medication for your pain." Recommended me to take tylenol even though I told him that I tried but it didn't work. I was dismissed from hospital with no interventions being done. Didn't order any diagnostic tests. Refused to refer me to a neurologist even though he told me it's neurological headache and was unable to provide any explanation for it. When I asked if he could send the report to my family doctor to follow up he said " maybe. " He also suggested a prescription medication but didn't write a prescription. Overall, it was my worst hospital experience.

I too have been admitted more than once through Emergency. I have always found the treatment in this hospital to be first rate. The Emergency dept Is excellent and 3rd floor nursing is also excellent. Thank you to both departments!

Holy moly… everyone at Kootenay Lake Hospital (from the receptionist to the nurses, to the senior med student, doctor and x-ray tech) were lovely. I came in with what felt like a foot fracture and was in and out of an exam and x-ray in 2hrs. Shout out to Dr. Merritt who, when in even the slightest doubt, will send you for an x-ray to be certain.

Awesome experience , every Nurse on that helped with the Birth of My son was great !!!

Worst ER Hospital! You'd die waiting before the doctor will help you. If they even have a doctor in there.

The receptionist and nurses were wonderful, but Dr. Isabelle Cochrane is a horrible Doctor! I would not recommend her to anyone.

Use the lab on a regular basis. Highly recommend using the online booking tool to setup your appointment. That way, there is no wait.

Emergency room staff were amazing. They helped get me back on my feet in no time - despite all the blood!

A little hard to find. Thank heaven for GPS. Eye surgery done here 15 yrs ago. Was will taken care of.

I’ve had my blood work done in the lab. I had a technician named Roxy who is apparently the manager. My service was terrible. She was dry and cold like a robot. Huge lack of empathy and compassion, customer service was cruel and unpleasant to say the least. It’s sad to see people in HEALTH CARE lack basic human skills. Compassion, empathy, kindness goes a long way and I received none of that at Kootenay Lake Hospital Lab. I would recommend seeing any other lab in town. There is obviously a lack of staff to allow such incompetence to be manager. Go elsewhere.

Organized and safe

We went to the hospital and we wait for 5 hours there for the check up and the doctor told us they will just call us for the check up result… but no one called us its been a month now and sadly the doctor don’t even give any medicine recommendation to get rid of the pain or any tips how to cure the problem.

In for cataract surgery twice (one on each eye). Well organized assembly line, friendly staff and competent doctors. Both operations successful.

Broke my ankle in a ski trip. Excellent service and great people working there. Ski safe!

I very time I come here I have to wait 4-5 hrs to see a dr. Last time I waited for 3 and as soon as I got up romper the doctor was coming in he told me it was ok to go pee I rushed took less than 5 mins when I came back he was gone again and I had to wait another hr for him. Never regretted peeing more in my life. On top of that my previous visit they didn’t do any test other than throat test and sent me home with antibiotics. Well I been sick for almost two months on and off. I been patiently waiting because I know the struggle with staffing but when is my turn finally please give me the time , the kindness and the effort to actually figure out what’s wrong with me.

In for cataract surgery July 4 Friendly competent staff, very organised Pleasant experience. Very helpful, surgeon was first rate Would have given 5 stars but for shortage of parkinc, no cafeteria and very hard building to find. Glad I had GPS

A common saying " first impression is the last impression" I had my ear blocked due to excessive ear wax due to which I could have barely heard. However, I went to the emergency room and Nurse Brittany had taken control of my problem and flushed it out in minutes. I am completely satisfied with the type of faster and instant service the hospital staff provided. People are great communicators at the hospital premises. Thank you Kootenay lake hospital.

The worst hospital in all of bc u will have to fight just to get a simple x ray they are useless!

Spent 4+ hours in emergency just for ultrasound results... nice people though

I don't think these review we add would donany better or they matter. Wondering why we pay them unless listening to voice-mail. They forgot who they work for. People or positions ?

Been trying to make appointment with the lab. Tells me I'm calling when they're closed when they are not. I can't get the tests I need.

Honestly, I've never had such efficient care - even with signs up apologizing for longer wait times due to staff being ill. Grateful to the nurses we've encountered so far - everyone has been upbeat and lovely.

Amazing staff, they are very friendly and helpful. They will take care of you, but the wait is extremely long, they are understaffed so the wait for something minor is very long.

Laboratory very understaffed. There are 3 chairs so realistically, 3 people can have lab work done at once. I arrived at 8:07 a.m. and the ticker was at #589. I'm number 600 and it's been over 1 hour 20 minutes. I was not impressed. An elderly couple had to leave because they'd been waiting too long and had to eat! I'm suffering low blood sugar as it is. Just get some more staff!

Had to take father to emergency on Saturday Wow The nurses The doctor merrick (?) What a great team Incredible So impressed Thank you for your help

For a small town hospital its very good, much cleaner than say Trail hospital the staff, nurses and Doctors are overall all very good and friendly. The wait times in Emerg can be long do to doctor cut backs etc but they do their best to get you seen to in a timely fashion. There is a full service cafeteria and vending machines in the basement as well as Guest WiFi to help make the waiting easier. There are a couple nurses whose bedside manner dealing with kids leaves a lot to be desired but that's the exception not the norm overall very good

Friendly Caring Staff! The last few times I was there I got to see a doctor within 15mins!

Absolute nightmare to go there. Long wait (3h +) every time I went despite there being no people. Been forgotten about at multiple stations, all in all just a frustrating experience.

Very caring, kind and skilled staff.

To all the staff of the 3rd floor medical unit, you are heroes to me. You know why.

I have a rare disease which requires me to go to the hospital every 3 weeks for treatment. I find the staff the most caring and helpful. My husband was in the Nelson hospital in 1994/95 for Crohn's. When Igo there a lot of the staff still asks how he is doing. It is a pleasure to go there and know you will be treated not only like a patient but also a friend. I recently lost my mother and the outpouring of sympathy and hugs were unbelievable. Thank you all so much.

I had an accident this morning so obviously it was an emergency... after waiting for 5 hrs... m going home without getting treated! What a shame...

Good people in there

I have nothing BUT the highest to say about Kootenay Lake hospital. It's such a friendly hospital and the doctors and staff are amazing!! To let you know how much I like this hospital I drive all the way from Trail to go here!! And I'm on disability so not much $$ for gas, that should tell you how much I like this hospital over Trail's hospital which is a JOKE!! Also in Trails hospital a 5 to 6 hour wait in the ER is the norm, yet I go to Kootenay Lake hospital and I'm seen within 20 minutes!!! Thumbs up to this hospital in my eyes!!

Good service.. usually.

Good Doctors and staff. Long wait times. Often no parking.

Staff attempt to give you the greatest aid that their levels of knowledge allow them to and that is all anyone can really ask of anyone. Is it not???

Friendly staff and helpful!!!

Respectful. Went in at midnight and was seen right away. Great staff. Thank you.

Very attentive and friendly staff. Clean and quiet. Hallways are labeled and well lit.