Burnaby patients are speaking out about the lack of access to toilets at some local medical clinics.
The NOW has been contacted by seven local patients who have visited some local medical clinics in recent weeks and been told the washrooms were closed to the public due to COVID-19 concerns.
“This just doesn’t make sense,” Tony Williams said. “I was waiting to see a doctor for a serious stomach ailment and I was doubled over because I had to go to the bathroom as well. And they just said ‘no’ to me and suggested I leave to find a washroom and then come back. COVID-19 is airborne but we’re still seeing health officials only talk about sanitization, which seems why they’ve closed the bathrooms. Restaurants have toilets open. Grocery stores have their washrooms open. Why not medical clinics? It just seems so callous.”
The NOW has contacted some of the clinics listed by the Burnaby patients, but has not received replies yet. The story will be updated if responses are received.
Another Burnaby resident told the story about what happened to his elderly parents.
“I would like to know if you can look into the requirements and legal obligations if any for a medical clinic operating in Burnaby without a working washroom for their patients,” said Robert. “My elderly parents went to (a local) medical clinic as a walk in to see a doctor. My mother had to take a urine sample but when she wanted to use the washroom, staff told her due to Covid their washrooms are out of service and advised her to go use the (coffee shop) nearby. I find this disgusting, that she had to leave the clinic to use a public washroom at another business so she could take a sample to then bring back to the clinic to drop off. I don’t understand how a clinic can operate in Burnaby without a working washroom.”
