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Construction is beginning on a new and expanded long-term care facility in Cranbrook.  When complete, the new Dr. F.W. Green Memorial Home will more than double the number of long-term beds at the home to help meet the growing needs of seniors in the region. “This project is about supporting people – creating good local jobs today and ensuring seniors in Cranbrook have access to the care they need close to home,” said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Infrastructure. “By expanding long-term care and strengthening partnerships with local communities, we’re investing in a healthier, more connected future for everyone.” The new five-storey home at 1700 4 St. S. will replace the existing 70-year-old Dr. F.W. Green Memorial Home. The number of long-term care beds will increase from 60 to 150, and will include three hospice beds. The new design will offer a home-like environment where seniors can live with dignity and families can feel confident their loved ones are supported. Construction will take place in two phases. In Phase 1, space for the first 66 new beds will be built. Phase 1 is expected to open in 2027, allowing current residents to move into the new home. Phase 2, which will include an additional 84 beds, is scheduled for completion in 2030.  Phase 2 will include space for a child care facility, creating a vibrant, multi-generational hub for the community. “Replacing the care home in Cranbrook and more than doubling the space for people who need care is wonderful news for the community,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “The new and modernized Dr. F.W. Green Memorial Home will provide seniors with greater privacy, more supports and enhanced amenities that meet today’s standards of care. With welcoming community spaces and comfortable areas for friends and loved ones to visit, this home will also help strengthen social connections and improve quality of life for residents.” A key feature of this project is the partnership with Ktunaxa Nation, which is guiding cultural integration and supporting the incorporation of traditional knowledge and language. From landscaping with native plants to creating spaces that honour culture and connection, this collaboration is helping ensure the new home reflects the values and needs of the community. “This new home will mean more seniors can stay close to their loved ones, receive the care they need, and live with dignity in a safe and welcoming environment,” said Sylvia Weir, interim president and CEO, Interior Health. “Residents and their families will enjoy a modernized health-care environment where they are supported by compassionate teams in a space that honours connection, culture and community.” The Dr. F.W. Green Memorial Home is part of the Province’s plan to improve care for seniors throughout the province. The B.C. government has invested approximately $3.5 billion over the past five years to improve care for seniors, including investments in primary care, home health, long-term care, assisted living and respite services. Quotes: Steve Morissette, MLA for Kootenay-Monashee and parliamentary secretary for rural development – “The new Dr. F.W. Green Memorial Home will provide modern, compassionate care primarily for seniors across the East Kootenay and Columbia Valley regions. This investment strengthens our commitment to supporting seniors in rural areas, while creating good local jobs for the future.” Brittny Anderson, MLA for Kootenay Central – “This is a meaningful investment in the health and well-being of our community. The new Dr. F.W. Green Memorial Home will not only provide better care for seniors closer to home, but also create jobs and spaces that bring people together – strengthening Cranbrook and area for generations to come.” Dr. Todd Loewen, senior medical director, East Kootenay, Interior Health –   “Not only does this improve quality of elderly care by positively impacting the health-care journey throughout one’s lifespan, the new, additional long-term care spaces will take significant pressure off our acute care system, allowing it to appropriately focus on what it is designed to do. Thus, we very much appreciate this commitment that will positively impact all health services in the region.” Kathryn Teneese, chair, Ktunaxa Nation Council –  “This project expands the Nation relationship with Interior Health to include avenues for potential contracting and business opportunities for Ktunaxa businesses. As well, Ktunaxa language and culture will be evident throughout the building, making it welcoming and beautiful.” David Wilks, board chair, Kootenay East Regional Hospital District – “We are proud to contribute $92 million – 40% of the funding – toward this long-awaited project and we are excited to see construction now underway. This milestone brings us closer to a new long-term care home for our region; a place where seniors can live with dignity, comfort and connection, and where families have peace of mind knowing their loved ones are supported in a safe and vibrant space.” Learn More: To read the funding announcement for this project, visit:https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023HLTH0115-001471 To stay up to date on construction, visit the Dr. F.W. Green Memorial Home project website:https://engageih.ca/fwg-replacement Read the original release on BC Gov News

Trail Health Centre Laboratory services continue as Interior Health engages with community leaders to review service options in consultation with the Ministry of Health. A decision outlining the long-term model for laboratory services in Trail is expected in early 2026. Outpatient laboratory services, including specimen collection, are currently available at:  Trail Health Centre Laboratory  #308 - 1101 Dewdney Avenue  Monday through Friday   8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Book online: www.labonlinebooking.ca  Call to book: 1-844-870-4756  LifeLabs Trail Patient Services Centre   #235-8100 Hwy 3B (Waneta Plaza)  Monday through Friday  7 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Book online: Book a Lab Visit  Walk-in appointments available  Urgent and acute laboratory services continue to be available at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital (KBRH) for patients who present to KBRH emergency department, admitted patients, or patients requiring urgent services related to acute procedures (i.e., cancer, renal and pre-surgical patients). Health care providers with patients requiring urgent outpatient laboratory services can direct these patients to the hospital for this testing.  Interior Health remains committed to providing timely and equitable access to laboratory collection services for both community members and acute care patients. We appreciate the dedication of local leaders and health care partners in supporting this work. Updates will continue to be provided as needed.

Interior Health is providing an update to expectant patients of available primary care maternity services in Kamloops following a decision by the Thompson Region Family Obstetrics (TRFO) physician group to close to new referrals. This change will allow them to dedicate available physician resources to critical 24-7 labour and delivery services at Royal Inland Hospital (RIH). We recognize the significant impact any change in maternity services can have on expectant individuals and families. Upon receiving the notice from TRFO, Interior Health (IH) started immediate actions to address the concerns raised and maintain access to services, which is a mutual goal of the TRFO physicians and IH. Anyone in labour should go to Royal Inland Hospital (RIH) to be assessed. Emergency care for people in imminent labour or experiencing urgent complications will be available.  Patients who do not have a maternity care provider can explore the following options: If possible, we recommend patients reach out to their family doctor or nurse practitioner. We encourage patients to also connect with Healthy from the Start (1-855-868-7710) for additional support and information. If you do not have a family doctor or nurse practitioner, you can reach out to First Step Early Pregnancy Clinic, which provides antenatal care up to 30 weeks of pregnancy. Expectant parents without a regular primary care or maternal care provider will be able to access labour and delivery services at RIH. All patients will be assessed and depending on medical staff availability may be transported to alternate hospitals to deliver their babies. If out-of-community care is required, families will be informed, and transportation and accommodation support will be provided if needed. For information and assistance, please call 250-314-2635 to speak with RIH Labour and Delivery. Interior Health acknowledges that the current situation may cause concern for the community, especially patients and families. We remain committed to providing timely updates as new information becomes available.

Oliver and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at South Okanagan General Hospital. Emergency services will be unavailable from 8 p.m. Monday, September 8 to 7 a.m. on Tuesday, September 9, 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. 

Oliver and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at South Okanagan General Hospital.  Emergency services will be unavailable from 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 7 to 7 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 8, 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.    

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. on Friday, Sept. 5 to 7 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6, 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. 

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

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

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, Sept. 5, 2025. Patients can access care at Cariboo Memorial Hospital 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.