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Interior Health (IH) is partnering with health organizations in the Vernon area to offer greater access to maternity care services in the community. The Orchard Maternity Vernon (OMV) clinic, located at the Vernon Health Unit at 1440 14th Avenue, is providing prenatal care to low-risk pregnancies through the first six to eight weeks following the baby’s birth. “Strong maternity care is vital in smaller communities like Vernon,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health.  “That’s why we’re taking action to improve access to prenatal and post birth care while strengthening a team-based system families can count on. Investments like this is help ensure more people receive the quality care they need, close to home, at every stage of life, and show what’s possible when partners come together.” The clinic, which opened this March, has benefitted from strong collaboration between IH, the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation (VJHF), the Shuswap North Okanagan (SNO) Division of Family Practice and the SNO Primary Care Network. These groups are contributing staff, office space, equipment, digital systems and design support. “Orchard Maternity Vernon is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when health partners work together toward a shared community goal,” said Sylvia Weir, president and CEO, Interior Health. “This new clinic expands access to high quality maternity care in Vernon with the added benefit of having access to aligned public health services under the same roof. The clinic also plays an important role in supporting future physician recruitment by offering medical residents work experience opportunities.” Co-locating maternity care with primary care and public-health means patients can easily access a number of important services under one roof. OMV services will also complement the maternity care offered at the existing Centreville Clinic in Vernon and referrals to both locations will be managed through one centralized service. “This is such a great news for families in Vernon and the surrounding communities, and healthcare sector. Said Harwinder Sandhu, MLA for Vernon-Lumby. As a mother, and a long-time registered nurse, I understand the importance of being able to access maternity care close to home at a time when it matters most. Orchard Maternity Vernon reflects the strength of local partnerships, and dedication of their entire team will help ensure families have the support they need with high-quality, patient centred care right here in our community.” Primary care physicians, a specialist perinatal nurse and a medical office assistant will work out of the clinic, supported by existing Ministry of Health funding through the Primary Care Network. “Orchard Maternity Vernon demonstrates the strength of true partnership — particularly when physicians are engaged from the outset,” said Dr. Mark Ansdell, Physician Lead, SNO Division of Family Practice. “By bringing frontline clinical insight into the design and implementation of services, we can deliver practical, patient-centered care that meets the needs of families in our community.” The SNO Division of Family Practice, the organization representing local physicians in the Shuswap North Okanagan, has developed the OMV’s website and supported physician participation in the development of clinic processes. More than $124,000 in donations provided by the VJHF supported equipment purchases, including barrier-free exam tables, an ultrasound machine, fetal heart monitors, an electronic medical records system and renovations to the facility. Work to strengthen maternity care in the Vernon area and throughout IH also continues through the new Maternity, Newborn, Child and Youth program, which employs a more integrated team-based approach to better support pregnant mothers and families throughout their pregnancies. This model brings together physicians, midwives, nurses, allied health professionals and community partners to provide seamless, patient-centered care. OMV is one of many steps IH is taking to improve care for families in the area. A new permanent Obstetrician and Gynaecologist (OBGYN) physician started at VJH in February with another scheduled to start in June 2026. These new recruits along with our existing providers and locum OBGYNs continue to support more complex maternity care at VJH as part of a multi-disciplinary care team in the North Okanagan. New permanent and casual perinatal Registered Nurses(RNs)  have also joined the VJH Maternity unit and additional nursing staff is expected to join the team this spring and summer. Vernon and area residents who are seeking maternity care can visit orchardmaternity.ca to learn more.

Interior Health is advising 100 Mile House and area residents of upcoming temporary changes to emergency department hours at 100 Mile District General Hospital. Emergency services will be unavailable during the following dates: Friday, April 3 from 3 p.m. to 8 a.m. on Saturday, April 4 Sunday, April 5 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, April 6 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Patients can access emergency care at can access care at Cariboo Memorial Hospital in Williams Lake during these times. Interior Health recognizes that, with the long weekend ahead, these changes may have a significant impact on the community and that transparent notification is important. Our teams remain committed to working to cover these shifts right up to the day of each potential service interruption. If coverage is secured and an interruption is avoided, we will provide an update to the community. All other inpatient services will continue at 100 Mile 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 811, 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 District General Hospital. Emergency services will be unavailable from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 2, 2026. Patients can access care at Cariboo Memorial Hospital in Williams Lake during this time. All other inpatient services will continue at 100 Mile 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.  

Oliver and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at South Okanagan General Hospital. Emergency services will be unavailable from 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 31 to 7 a.m. on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. Patients can access emergency care at Penticton Regional Hospital during these times. 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. 

100 Mile House and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at 100 Mile District General Hospital. Emergency services will be unavailable from 7 p.m. on Monday, March 30, to 8 a.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Patients can access care at Cariboo Memorial Hospital in Williams Lake during this time. All other inpatient services will continue at 100 Mile 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.  

UPDATE: 100 Mile House and area residents are advised that Interior Health has secured coverage for the emergency department at 100 Mile District General Hospital for Friday, March 27, 2026. 100 Mile House and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at 100 Mile District General Hospital. Emergency services will be unavailable from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, March 27, 2026. Patients can access care at Cariboo Memorial Hospital in Williams Lake during this time. All other inpatient services will continue at 100 Mile 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.  

100 Mile House and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at 100 Mile District General Hospital. Emergency services will be unavailable from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. Patients can access care at Cariboo Memorial Hospital in Williams Lake during this time. All other inpatient services will continue at 100 Mile 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.  

Some services offered through Interior Health will be returning to the Nelson Community Health Services Centre following a temporary closure at the facility in December 2025 due to water damage. Services that will be relocated back to the centre starting Wednesday, March 25, include: Adult day services Mental health and substance use (MHSU) services for seniors Public health (call ahead for drop-in availability) Early childhood development Environmental public health program support All remaining MHSU services, (substance use counselling and after-care, counselling and treatment, psychiatry, and outreach services), will continue at 514 Vernon Street for now. Services starting on Monday, March 30 at Nelson Community Health Services Centre: Water sampling drop-off services (relocated to the main floor) Home & community care services will continue to be offered at the neighbouring Nelson Fairview Gardens, 904 Eleventh Street. Interior Health will contact current clients directly to inform them of this change. Individuals who require new appointments or have questions related to any of these services should contact Interior Health at the following numbers: Mental Health and Substance Use Services: 250-505-7248 or 310-MHSU (6478) For general inquiries, call 250-505-7200 We will provide additional updates as they become available.

100 Mile House and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at 100 Mile District General Hospital. Emergency services will be unavailable from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, Mar. 23, 2026. Patients can access care at Cariboo Memorial Hospital in Williams Lake during this time. All other inpatient services will continue at 100 Mile 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.