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Please see the attached document to learn more about the look, contamination, and risk associated with the current drug alert.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, Interior Health is pleased to announce that following an extensive search, Sylvia Weir is appointed president and CEO of Interior Health (IH), effective immediately.  “I’m thrilled to welcome Sylvia Weir as the next president and CEO of Interior Health,” said Dr. Robert Halpenny, chair of the IH Board of Directors. “As we considered a full slate of candidates, it became clear that Sylvia brings the right mix of values-based leadership, vision and financial acumen to enable the efficient and effective delivery of front-line clinical services to support the achievement of IH’s vision.”  Sylvia brings more than 25 years of leadership in health care in Canada and the United Kingdom and a strong commitment to compassionate leadership. Since June 2025, while serving as interim president and CEO, Sylvia has demonstrated her people-centred leadership approach while leading IH through the organization’s financial sustainability initiatives. Her leadership has laid the foundation to better support positive working relationships with employees and medical staff, key government leaders and external partners. She has further demonstrated her deep commitment to advancing reconciliation and working collaboratively with community partners by building strong relationships.  “I am grateful for the opportunity to serve IH in this role permanently and lead an organization that is comprised of dedicated, compassionate and talented people committed to supporting the health and wellbeing for all,” said Sylvia Weir. “Since June, I’ve had the honour and privilege to meet with and hear from frontline staff, physicians, community and Indigenous leaders across our health region. I am acutely aware of the challenges we collectively face both at IH and as a broader health-care sector, but I am confident through our continued focus on engagement, innovation, strategic partnerships and financial sustainability we will be able to maintain our commitment to delivering the highest quality and most effective care possible to communities.”  Sylvia brings proven experience having previously led IH’s finance and infrastructure teams and managing relationships with external partners. Her education includes a Fellowship in Health System Improvement at the University of Alberta and Project Management certification through the University of British Columbia Sauder School of Business. She has served for seven years as a Board member of the Kelowna Women’s Shelter and as an Immigrant Employment Mentor with the Kelowna Community Resources Centre. Sylvia is also a current board member of the provincial Healthcare Benefit Trust.

Clearwater and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital.   Emergency services will be unavailable immediately until 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025. Patients can access emergency care at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops or 100 Mile House District General Hospital during this time.   All other inpatient services will continue at Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital.   People in the community who need life-threatening emergency care (i.e., chest pains, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding) should always call 9-1-1 for transport to the nearest available and appropriate facility.     Anyone unsure whether an emergency room visit is warranted can call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1, or visit www.HealthLinkBC.ca for non-emergency health information from nurses, dietitians and pharmacists 24 hours a day, seven days per week.

As the toxic drug emergency continues, drug checking is one way to reduce the risk of using unregulated drugs. Drug checking provides the most accurate information about what is in drugs, so people who use drugs can make informed choices about where, when and how much to use. The service is fast, free, confidential, and is legal at approved sites. Samples can be as small as a grain of rice and results are typically available within 10 minutes. The staff who provide the service are non-judgmental and, no matter the results, we don’t confiscate drugs, and they can be returned to you. Whatever reason you choose to use drugs; we want you to bring in or drop off a sample for testing before you use.

Oliver and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at South Okanagan General Hospital.   Emergency services will be unavailable from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, October 5, 2025. Patients can access emergency care in Penticton Regional Hospital during this time.   All other inpatient services will continue at South Okanagan General Hospital.   People in the community who need life-threatening emergency care (i.e., chest pains, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding) should always call 911 for transport to the nearest available and appropriate facility.     Anyone unsure whether an emergency room visit is warranted can call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1, or visit www.HealthLinkBC.ca for non-emergency health information from nurses, dietitians and pharmacists 24 hours a day, seven days per week.  

Williams Lake and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at Cariboo Memorial Hospital. Emergency services will be unavailable immediately until 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025. Patients can access care at 100 Mile District General Hospital in 100 Mile House during this time. All other inpatient services will continue at Cariboo Memorial Hospital. People in the community who need life-threatening emergency care (i.e., chest pains, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding) should always call 9-1-1 for transport to the nearest available and appropriate facility. Anyone unsure whether an emergency room visit is warranted can call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 or visit www.HealthLinkBC.ca for non-emergency health information from nurses, dietitians and pharmacists 24 hours a day, seven days per week.

Williams Lake and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at Cariboo Memorial Hospital. Emergency services will be unavailable immediately until 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. Patients can access care at 100 Mile District General Hospital in 100 Mile House, GR Baker Memorial Hospital in Quesnel, or Bella Coola General Hospital in Bella Coola during this time. All other inpatient services will continue at Cariboo Memorial Hospital. People in the community who need life-threatening emergency care (i.e., chest pains, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding) should always call 911 for transport to the nearest available and appropriate facility.  Anyone unsure whether an emergency room visit is warranted can call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 or visit www.HealthLinkBC.ca for non-emergency health information from nurses, dietitians and pharmacists 24 hours a day, seven days per week. 

100 Mile House and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at 100 Mile House District General Hospital. Emergency services will be unavailable from 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 1 to 7 a.m. on Thursday, October 2, 2025. Patients can access care at Cariboo Memorial Hospital in Williams Lake during this time. All other inpatient services will continue at 100 Mile House District General Hospital. People in the community who need life-threatening emergency care (i.e., chest pains, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding) should always call 911 for transport to the nearest available and appropriate facility.  Anyone unsure whether an emergency room visit is warranted can call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1, or visit www.HealthLinkBC.ca for non-emergency health information from nurses, dietitians and pharmacists 24 hours a day, seven days per week.

Please see the attached document to learn more about the look, contamination, and risk associated with the current drug alert.