Letter: Concerns over parking crisis at Trail hospital
Published 4:00 pm Thursday, June 18, 2026
Dear Editor,
I am reaching out in hopes of bringing attention to a growing concern affecting patients, visitors, healthcare workers, and families at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital in Trail.
The current parking situation at KBRH has become extremely difficult and, in many cases, is creating barriers to accessing healthcare.
Due to ongoing construction and the loss of parking spaces, many people are unable to find parking near the hospital and are being forced to park considerable distances away and walk up steep hills to reach the facility.
This is not simply an inconvenience.
Many of the people attending the hospital are seniors, individuals with mobility limitations, people experiencing respiratory issues, or patients already dealing with pain and medical conditions.
Asking them to walk long distances uphill in order to attend appointments or receive treatment raises serious concerns about accessibility.
Recently, a community member encountered an elderly woman attending the hospital for knee injections who was struggling to make the walk.
The community member kindly offered her a ride to the entrance because she was in significant pain.
I have also witnessed people needing to stop and rest on their way to the hospital due to breathing difficulties and the steep climb from available parking locations.
Hospital employees are facing challenges as well.
Staff have reported arriving well before their shifts simply to find parking.
Others must park far from the hospital and walk significant distances, including late at night after long shifts.
These are the healthcare workers our community depends on every day.
I understand that construction and hospital improvements are important investments in our region’s healthcare system.
However, access to the hospital must remain a priority while this work is being completed.
If the current situation is expected to continue for an extended period, temporary solutions such as additional parking areas, a shuttle service, or other accessibility measures should be explored.
I have contacted Interior Health, hospital leadership, local elected officials, and our MLA to express these concerns. I am sharing this publicly because I believe many others in our community have experienced the same frustrations and challenges.
This issue affects everyone who may need care at KBRH, whether as a patient, visitor, family member, or employee.
I hope that by bringing greater attention to the problem, we can encourage meaningful action and find solutions that improve access for everyone.
Sincerely,
Kassi Phillips
Trail