STEINBACH — When people go to the hospital, it’s because they need help. But they shouldn’t need help getting into the hospital. That’s exactly what some people going to Bethesda Hospital in Steinbach experience.
Renovations were done to revamp the hospital in 2014 but when the new ramp and stairs were done, people knew it was a hazard.
“It’s too steep,” said Nick, “I can’t go up the stairs.”
Patients going in to the hospital have to either walk up a set of 14 steep stairs or a long narrow steep ramp.
“Who ever thought this was a good idea?” said Johanna Reimer, “This is common sense.”
Steinbach MLA Kelvin Goertzen says he gets calls and emails from people complaining about the steep ramp and stairs.
It was built a year ago and Goertzen says the NDP promised to make changes.
The Southern Regional Health Authority says construction will begin this month on the ramp to make resting areas for people to pull over if another wheelchair is coming up.
The stairs currently have a help button at the bottom so people can ask hospital security to assist them up the stairs or ramp. But that service is only available Monday to Friday 7-3.
The health region says the stairs will be fixed too, but not right away.
The cost for the new improvements are not known at this time.
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