Media Archive Blog Topic Listing Page

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

Construction begins today on the new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) suite at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital (KBRH) in Trail, marking a major milestone in strengthening medical imaging and diagnostic services for people across the Kootenay Boundary region. “Investing in modern health-care infrastructure is essential to making sure communities across British Columbia have access to the services they rely on,” said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Infrastructure. “The new MRI expansion at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital reflects our government’s commitment to building the facilities needed to support growing communities and to strengthen the delivery of critical services close to home.” The new MRI suite will replace the current mobile MRI and be located in an integrated space within the hospital, supporting KBRH’s role as a Regional Oncology Centre, Level 3 Trauma Referral Centre, and Regional Stroke Centre. Once complete in early 2028, people in Trail will have access to a permanent, more accessible MRI suite inside the hospital, including a new 1.5T MRI scanner. “People in the Kootenay Boundary region can look forward to enhanced care with expanded MRI services at KBRH,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “Patients will be able to access timely diagnostics, supporting earlier and faster treatment, which can be critical for those needing timely care.” The expanded MRI suite and new MRI scanner will significantly increase diagnostic capacity at KBRH, raising annual MRI volumes from about 4,400 to as many as 7,000 scans. The upgraded technology will improve imaging accuracy and efficiency, with faster scan times and smoother workflow. “For people in rural and remote communities, having diagnostic services close to home makes a real difference,” said Steve Morissette, MLA for Kootenay-Monashee. “This new MRI suite at KBRH means fewer long trips, faster answers, and better care for families throughout the region.” The additional space and equipment will also enable more complex exams to be performed on site, reducing the need for referrals to larger centres and helping patients receive timely medical care. “By expanding MRI services at KBRH, we are reducing barriers to diagnostic imaging and helping patients and families receive the care they need—close to home,” said Sylvia Weir, president and CEO, Interior Health. “A modern MRI suite inside the hospital will help our teams provide faster, more connected care for patients and families for many years to come.” Following a competitive bidding process, Interior Health selected Ledcor Construction Ltd. for the KBRH MRI suite expansion project. Mobilization and construction are set to begin on Feb. 2, 2026. The project is expected to be complete and ready to receive patients in mid 2028. “We are thrilled to see construction begin on the MRI expansion at Kootenay Boundary Hospital, a project that will bring vital diagnostic services closer to home,” said Everett Baker, West Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital District Board Chair. “The West Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital District Board is proud to advocate for rural and remote communities, and this milestone is a testament to what can be achieved when we work together to invest in local health care. Every resident, no matter where they live, will benefit from faster, better access to the care they deserve.” To ensure MRI services continue throughout construction, the existing mobile MRI will be relocated to an interim on-site position and accessed through a renovated area of the hospital’s administration wing. This approach will keep MRI operations running with minimal disruption to patients. “We are proud to support this significant investment in regional health care for the Kootenay Boundary,” said Lisa Pasin, Executive Director, KBRH Health Foundation. “The MRI expansion is critically important and will greatly benefit patients, their families, and our health-care teams.” The project also includes upgrades to hospital parking, scheduled to occur during summer 2026 and summer 2027. “This new MRI suite marks a major step forward from our ageing, trailer-based MRI service, transforming how we care for our patients,” said Dr. Gonzalo Ansede, department head, medical imaging, KBRH. “By improving patient flow and expanding the range and quality of MR imaging we can offer on site, it allows our team to work more efficiently and deliver a better experience and better outcomes for our community.” The total project cost is estimated at $35.86 million and will be shared by the provincial government through Interior Health, the West Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital District, and the KBRH Health Foundation.

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.

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.

Updated Jan. 14, 2026: More people connected to addictions care through streamlined phone service Summary Access Central, a clinical phone line service that makes it easier for adults to get support for addictions, is now active in Fraser Health, Interior Health and Island Health Access Central services are available seven days a week at: Fraser Health: 1-833-866-6478 from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Interior Health 1-866-777-1103 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Island Health: 1-888-885-8824 from 9 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. Vancouver Coastal Health: 1-(866)-658-1221 from 9 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. Clients needing addiction treatment are connected with a nurse or trained clinician for assessment within 24 hours More people in B.C. can now get timely, personalized addictions care as government expands Access Central, a phone line that provides a single point of entry to connect people to certified health providers, and comprehensive, people-centred care. “Supports like Access Central make a real difference for people on their road to recovery,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “Recovery isn’t straightforward, which is why we’re taking action to strengthen addictions care across B.C. We’re building a full continuum of addictions care, from early intervention to treatment, recovery and aftercare. Road to Recovery meets people where they are and connects them to timely, appropriate and culturally safe services.” One phone call connects to help for addictions Access Central helps adults connect to addictions care through a single phone line in each available region. First launched in Greater Vancouver in 2023, the service is now available in the Fraser Health, Interior Health and Island Health regions. In the future, people in the Northern Health region will also be able to use an Access Central phone line, expanding the service provincewide. When people are ready to seek support or information about addictions care, they can contact Access Central, seven days a week, for a clinical assessment within 24 hours, and/or be linked to a clinic for an in-person assessment. The Access Central personalized substance-use care plan includes: same or next-day clinical screening and assessment placement in a withdrawal management/detox bed according to medical need, and/or rapid connection to outpatient services initiation of opioid agonist therapy (OAT) or anti-craving medications for alcohol use, when appropriate ongoing support throughout the withdrawal and recovery journey Connecting people to care, quicker Since its launch in 2023, Road to Recovery Vancouver has been quickly connecting people with the treatment they need. From October 2023 until December 2025: Access Central received 34,583 calls 9,210 clients were clinically assessed for withdrawal management There was a median wait time of one day for those prioritized as urgent, and the wait time for routine clients reduced from an average of 26 days, down to approximately eight days Information and data from Road to Recovery Vancouver are being used to guide its expansion throughout the province, helping more people access timely, simplified care when and where they need it. Road to Recovery is part of government’s work to build a voluntary, seamless system of mental-health and substance-use care. This includes more than 3,700 publicly funded beds that support people with addictions, of which more than 790 treatment and recovery beds are new since 2017, launching the Opioid Treatment Access Line, opening Foundry youth centres, First Nations healing facilities and building thousands of supportive-housing units. Quotes: Amna Shah, parliamentary secretary for mental health and addictions – “Access Central brings services together in a way that helps people move through the system with greater confidence. This approach strengthens how care is delivered and ensures individuals aren’t left to navigate complex challenges on their own.” Diana Gibson, MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head – “We are making addictions care easier to navigate. This will make a real difference in people’s journeys to recovery. Access Central helps people get the care they need, when they need it, through a more streamlined approach, and that will be a relief for many. I’m encouraged by the difference this will make for individuals and communities across Vancouver Island.” Dermot Kelly, president and CEO, Fraser Health – “People seeking support for substance use deserve timely, compassionate care that meets them where they are. Access Central removes barriers to immediate support and strengthens continuity of care, ensuring individuals receive the right help at every stage of their recovery.” Sylvia Weir, president and CEO, Interior Health – “Recognizing that every person’s recovery journey is different, Access Central prioritizes timely access to services by matching health care to a patient’s current needs. This new pathway to care strengthens transitions and removes barriers so individuals can engage in appropriate care when it matters most.” Leah Hollins, chair, board of directors, Island Health – “When someone makes the vulnerable and brave decision to seek help for substance use, they need access to treatment and care quickly. Just one phone call means people can get the care they need, no matter where they are located and start on a path to recovery right away.”   Kim Keats, registered nurse, Access Central – “As a front-line nurse working in substance-use care, I meet people at some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. I know that accessing care can feel overwhelming, especially for people living in rural and remote communities. Access Central was built to meet those realities, offering a clear and compassionate path to care, so people can spend less time trying to find support and more time staying connected to it.” Learn More: For more information about Road to Recovery, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2024MMHA0038-001175   For more information about mental-health and substance-use supports in B.C., visit: https://helpstartshere.gov.bc.ca/ Read original release on BC Gov News

The Nelson Community Health Services Centre remains temporarily closed due to water damage that occurred in the afternoon of Dec. 30. Interior Health does not have a confirmed date for re-opening of the health services centre at this time. Services provided at the centre are being reestablished at alternate locations, including unused space at the neighbouring Nelson Fairview Gardens, which was not impacted. Mental health and substance use services have been moved to the downtown Nelson location at 514 Vernon St. Services normally provided out of the centre include but are not limited to: Adult day services Mental health & substance use services Public health Early childhood development Home & community care services Environmental public health & licensing Interior Health will continue to contact current clients, including those with scheduled appointments, directly. 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) Call the general number at 250-505-7200 and select a specific service using the phone menu. Interior Health is requesting that individuals call the general number above to access new services. Drop-ins, with the exception of mental health and substance use at the downtown location, are not currently available. We will provide additional updates as they become available.

Kelowna General Hospital (KGH) is marking the completion of renovations to its Medical Imaging (MI) department, strengthening access to diagnostic services and improved patient care for people across the Interior. “These upgrades at Kelowna General Hospital put people first by ensuring patients, families and health-care workers have access to modern, reliable spaces that support high-quality care,” said Harwinder Sandhu, MLA for Vernon–Lumby. “As a long-time registered nurse, I’ve seen firsthand how much patients and care teams rely on modern imaging and hospital spaces to provide timely, compassionate care for people across the Interior. Recently, I also had the opportunity to visit a state-of-the-art facility with similar upgrades and heard overwhelmingly positive feedback from staff about how these improvements enhance both patient care and the working environment.” The KGH MI redevelopment project was delivered in two stages. Phase 1, completed April 25, 2025, added a single-storey building to the existing KGH MI department to accommodate new MRI equipment. Phase 2, open for patient care on Jan. 5, 2026, focused on renovation to the existing MI department to improve patient, visitor and staff spaces. “Patients and visitors accessing medical imaging at KGH will benefit from a more comfortable experience, while our staff now have improved spaces and tools to better support patient care,” said Sylvia Weir, president and CEO, Interior Health. “These new care areas reflect our ongoing commitment to providing exceptional care for people in the community and for those across the Interior who travel to Kelowna for specialty diagnostic services.” The recent renovations to KGH MI expanded the post-procedure recovery area from six to seven bays and improved patient comfort, privacy and safety. Additional upgrades were made to the patient and visitor waiting rooms, and staff areas. “The completion of this project reflects the power of strong partnerships and long-term planning,” said Tom Dyas, Chair of the Central Okanagan Regional Hospital District. “By investing in modern medical imaging infrastructure, we are helping patients across the region have access to accurate diagnostics, efficient services and high-quality care close to home.” The KGH MI department includes two state-of-the-art MRI scanners—a 3T and a 1.5T—strengthening access to timely, high-quality diagnostic services, reducing wait times, and supporting earlier diagnosis and treatment for patients across the region. "We are incredibly grateful to our community, donors, volunteers, and health care champions whose time and generosity helped make these vital improvements possible,” shared Allison Young, CEO, KGH Foundation. “Our volunteer run business enterprises generated one million dollars to help bring these services to KGH. We would like to extend a special thank you to all who support our social enterprises at KGH, and especially all the volunteers who give their time in support of our hospital.” The estimated total project cost is $37.8 million. The Province contributed $20.1 million, the Central Okanagan Regional Hospital District contributed $13.4 million, and the KGH Foundation contributed $4.3 million. Learn more: To learn more, read the April 2025 news release: https://www.interiorhealth.ca/media/expanded-medical-imaging-services-kelowna-general-hospital To see the KGH medical imaging department, watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wMrMhP3aV0