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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.

The Vernon Jubilee Hospital (VJH) Foundation and Interior Health are proud to announce the opening of the new Sacred Space at VJH. A sacred space is a faith-neutral area that functions as a spiritual care area, open to patients, families, staff and visitors of VJH. It is a place of peace and tranquility and is always accessible to offer a moment of respite and reflection. “Within these walls, we hope that patient families and friends will find a refuge from the stress and anxiety that can often accompany a hospital experience,” said Susan Brown, Interior Health president and chief executive officer. “We recognize that healing isn't just physical; it's emotional and spiritual too. We hope that anyone who uses this space finds moments of peace and strength." The creation of this sacred space has been a collaborative effort—championed by Interior Health and the VJH Foundation, with inputs from community, spiritual and Indigenous partners. The project also includes a dedicated private office space for spiritual care leads, constructed near the Sacred Space to further enhance spiritual care at VJH. “People will now have access to this sacred space, which will be a haven of peace and calm,” said Harwinder Sandhu, Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors’ Services and Long-Term Care and MLA for Vernon-Monashee. “I am deeply appreciative of the spiritual space and services offered here in the Vernon Jubilee hospital. As a healthcare worker, I have witnessed firsthand the profound impact of spiritual care, this wonderful addition will be a sanctuary for all, providing moments of reflection for families, healthcare workers and patients alike.” The VJH Foundation has been an integral partner in bringing this collaborative vision to reality, contributing $225,000 to the project. “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who helped make this project a reality,” said Kate McBrearty, VJH Foundation executive director. “Through the support of the Hospital Auxiliary, Ulrike and Don Gibbs and our incredible donor community we now have a beautiful, soothing space where diverse cultural, religious, and ethnic communities can find comfort and peace during challenging moments. Designed with the diverse needs of the North Okanagan community in mind, the VJH Sacred Space has a double door for easy patient bed-access and can accommodate different cultural protocols and religious rituals, such as smudging ceremonies and ritual washing. Situated on the fifth floor of the Polson Building, just outside the Inpatient Care Unit, the space is a sanctuary of solace, unity, and healing for everyone receiving care, working, or visiting at VJH.

New Denver and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at Slocan Community Health Centre due to limited nursing availability. Emergency services will be unavailable effective immediately until 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 17. Patients can access care at Arrow Lakes Hospital at 97-1st Ave NE, Nakusp. Emergency services will reopen for regular hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 18. 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.  The emergency department at Slocan Community Health Centre is normally open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week.

People facing complex mental-health, addiction and housing challenges will benefit from better access to housing with the wraparound supports they need. Two hundred and forty new complex-care housing (CCH) units, as announced in the Province’s Homes for People plan in 2023, are coming to communities in B.C. to provide people with overlapping mental-health challenges, developmental disabilities, addiction issues, trauma, and/or acquired brain injuries the care they need where they live. Two hundred of these units will be in Abbotsford, Burnaby, Kamloops, Kelowna, Nanaimo, New Westminster, Prince George, Sechelt, Surrey, Vancouver and Victoria. The remaining 40 units will be Indigenous-led and the Province is working closely with Indigenous groups to identify partners and priority communities.   “People dealing with serious mental-health, addiction and housing challenges are often left behind,” says Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “Their complex needs can lead to a cycle of evictions, stays in shelters and repeated visits to emergency rooms. We’re supporting more complex-care housing, so more people can get the co-ordinated care they need right in their own homes, and they can live happier and healthier lives in their communities and remain connected to their support networks.” The City of Kelowna has been a strong advocate for complex-care housing and work is underway in the community, where partners are coming together to prepare for next steps. This project will include 20 newly constructed complex-care housing units and at least 20 supportive housing units. The project will soon be going to design phase and engagement with the neighbourhood will commence. Projects in other communities are expected to proceed in the coming months and updates will be provided on each project as they begin to take shape. CCH provides voluntary and person-centred health and social supports under one roof where people live and for as long as they need it. Services are planned and co-ordinated by health-care partners and delivered in partnership with housing operators. In some communities, the new units will be in stand-alone buildings. In others, CCH units may be combined with supportive housing or other affordable housing units. “As a social worker specializing in complex care, my role revolves around providing personalized support to individuals navigating complex challenges,” said Ashley Halston, social worker, Interior Health. “With the introduction of dedicated complex-care units in both Kelowna and Kamloops, our ability to provide patient-focused care is significantly increased, enabling us to address the diverse needs of those we serve with greater effectiveness and compassion.” Launched in 2022, CCH services are already in place for 443 people around the province. CCH is specifically designed for those whose mental-health and addiction issues overlap with significant functional needs or other serious health conditions, such as brain injuries or mobility impairments. Health-care and social support teams work alongside the individual and their support network to develop personalized care plans aimed at maintaining their housing and improving their quality of life. This collaborative, wraparound approach focuses on reducing hospital visits and interactions with law enforcement to support long-term well-being. “Today's announcement is a celebrated and much-needed investment in our community, as we strive to provide dignified and compassionate care and housing for our most vulnerable residents,” said Tom Dyas, mayor of Kelowna. “We are proud to have contributed municipal land for this new site and to have worked closely with government and agency partners on finding solutions for complex challenges of social, health, housing and safety issues. This project will have a significant impact on the health and safety of our community as we continue to grow.” Complex-care housing is a part of the Province’s Safer Communities Action Plan, which is taking action to address the biggest challenges to keep people safe and communities strong. This initiative is supported by Budget 2023, which committed $266 million to fund these services, including $169 million in capital funding to build new homes in the province.    Quotes: Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing – “People who have complex health issues overlapping with housing insecurity challenges are often caught up in a cycle of homelessness. The expansion of complex-care housing throughout the province means more people can access personalized care tailored to their specific needs. Integrated health, social and cultural supports are essential to providing a pathway to secure housing and well-being.” Susan Brown, president and CEO, Interior Health – “In addition to our existing complex-care beds, these 40 new units mark another step forward to better supporting individuals facing complex mental-health, substance use and housing challenges. This expansion emphasizes Interior Health’s dedication to provide integrated care right where people live to enhance the health and well-being for all.” Learn More: To learn more about mental-health and addictions supports in B.C., visit: https://helpstartshere.gov.bc.ca/ To learn more about the Safer Communities Action Plan, visit: https://strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/safer-communities/ To learn more about complex-care housing, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/mental-health-substance-use/complex-care-housing To learn more about Homes for People plan, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023HOUS0019-000436 For a backgrounder about the communities receiving CCH units, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/BG_CCH_Expansion.pdf Translations ComplexCareExpansion_Chinese(simplified).pdf ComplexCareExpansion_Chinese(traditional).pdf ComplexCareExpansion_Punjabi.pdf Read original release on BC Gov News

Oliver and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at South Okanagan General Hospital due to limited physician availability. Emergency services will be unavailable from 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 9 to 7 a.m. on Wednesday, April 10. Patients can access care at Penticton Regional Hospital during this time. All other inpatient services will continue as normal 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 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.  The emergency department in Oliver is normally open 24/7.

Starting Monday, April 8, 2024, people in British Columbia will have access to a free spring COVID-19 vaccine booster to maintain and extend protection for themselves and their loved ones against serious illnesses from COVID-19. The spring COVID-19 booster will be available throughout the province at pharmacies, regional health-authority clinics, some primary-care offices, and community health centres. This spring vaccine remains free and available for everyone six months and older. Given the decreased rates of viral respiratory infections in the community, additional infection prevention and control measures implemented in fall 2023 in health-care settings are no longer required at all times. People are still encouraged to wear masks in health-care settings as appropriate, to continue to cover coughs and stay away from others when feeling sick. Health-care workers will continue to wear appropriate personal protective equipment, such as masks and respirators, in accordance with their point-of-care risk assessments. While the peak of the respiratory illness season has passed, the SARS CoV-2 virus continues to circulate at lower levels in the community. The protection from infection that COVID-19 vaccines provide decreases over time, particularly in older people, so a spring COVID-19 vaccine booster will ensure people stay protected. Aligned with advice from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, B.C. health officials recommend the following people consider receiving an additional dose of the XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccine: Adults 65 and older Indigenous adults 55 and older Adult residents of long-term care homes and assisted-living facilities (including those awaiting placement) Individuals six months and older who have been diagnosed as clinically extremely vulnerable (a CEV 1 or CEV 2 condition) B.C.’s COVID-19 spring program is focused on providing vaccines to those most at risk of severe COVID-19 illness or complications, and people who have not yet received an updated vaccine dose. However, anyone who feels they would benefit from an additional dose of the XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccine can contact the call centre at 1 833 838-2323 to book an appointment or walk into a pharmacy where the vaccine is available. Vaccine appointment capacity is available in all regions. The 2023-24 respiratory illness immunization campaign was launched to the general population on Oct. 10, 2023. As of end of day March 31, 2024, B.C. had administered 1,457,246 doses of COVID-19 vaccines and 1,562,023 doses of influenza vaccines. Quick Facts: Invitations will start going out on Monday, April 8, 2024; reminders will be sent out to those who have not yet received an XBB.1.5 dose and to those who fit the listed categories. There are approximately 3.9 million people in B.C. who have not received a COVID-19 XBB.1.5 vaccine. B.C. has more than 900,000 doses of Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines (adult, infant and pediatric) in stock and approximately 13,000 doses of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine in stock for those requiring a non-mRNA vaccine. Learn More: People who want a notification to book an appointment, or who are not yet registered, are encouraged to do so by visiting: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/register For more information about the COVID-19 vaccine, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/register#howto Read the original release on BC Gov News

The health-care teams at Penticton Regional Hospital (PRH) and Penticton Heath Centre (PHC) have received international recognition for their care and support of new parents and their babies. Both facilities have been awarded the national and global designation for the Baby-Friendly Initiative (BFI), a World Health Organization and UNICEF program that guides optimal care and best breastfeeding and chestfeeding practices. “This designation recognizes the high standard of care teams in Penticton provide to babies and new parents, giving them the healthiest start on their new journey together,” said Dr. Shallen Letwin, vice president of clinical operations. In 2019, PRH was chosen among 26 sites in Canada to pilot a national BFI quality improvement project, guided by the Breastfeeding Committee for Canada with funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada. Since the PHC is a close partner in care, a community-based collaborative model was used, allowing the two facilities to work on the project together. This work was also supported by the Systems Change Project, with funding from the Vancouver Foundation. Four years later, PRH and PHC join only three other facilities in the province and 28 across Canada with the official designation. The BFI is based on a continuum of care from hospital to home and aims to create a health care environment where families receive the best care and information to give their child a healthy future. The BFI supports 10 steps to successful breastfeeding, with one of the key practices being immediate and continuous skin-to-skin contact between parent and baby. This contact benefits all families, no matter how they plan to feed their baby. “The Goal of the BFI is to make breastfeeding and chestfeeding easier for families by helping them get off to the best start possible, and supporting them for as long as they need,” said Meggie Ross, Penticton’s BFI lead. “With BFI’s 10 steps to successful breastfeeding policies in place at our facilities, we know the family’s experience improves, and breastfeeding rates increase.” The BFI also supports each family’s choice and gives them the information and support they need to decide how to feed their baby that’s best for their situation. As part of the project, PRH has introduced pasteurized donor human milk from the BC Women’s Provincial Milk Bank as an option for families. “The Baby-Friendly Initiative is an invaluable global initiative that supports all families,” said Lea Geiger, provincial clinical coordinator for maternal infant health at Perinatal Services BC. “The BFI practice standards enhance the quality of care provided to all parents and their babies, empowering them with the knowledge and resources they need to give their babies the best possible start in life. By placing families at the center of care, these standards promote a holistic approach that leads to greater happiness and healthier outcomes for both parents and babies.” Learn more: To become BFI designated, facilities must adhere to and fulfill the requirements of the 10 Steps as outlined by WHO/UNICEF and adapted by the Breastfeeding Committee for Canada for all healthcare institutions. This process is evaluated by a team of BFI assessors. Learn more at Baby-Friendly Initiative - Breastfeeding Committee for Canada : Breastfeeding Committee for Canada (breastfeedingcanada.ca) Canada’s BFI designation plaque “Baby Love 2” was designed by BC artist, Mary Kate Woodward, who currently resides in Penticton. All facilities that achieve the BFI designation receive a plaque.

People who are pregnant will have increased access to prenatal and postpartum care services in Kamloops, thanks to joint funding being provided to the First Steps Early Pregnancy Triage Clinic from the Ministry of Health and Interior Health. “The expansion of the innovative and team-based services provided by First Steps Early Pregnancy Triage Clinic are needed to meet the needs of expectant families in Kamloops and surrounding communities,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “The enhanced funding demonstrates our continuing commitment to bolster maternal and newborn health by expanding access to vital prenatal and postpartum care services.” Working in partnership, the Ministry of Health, Thompson Region Division of Family Practice, local maternity care providers, and Interior Health have addressed potential service gaps to help First Steps continue to provide essential maternity care for patients in Kamloops and the Thompson Cariboo region. The vision for this service is to deliver team-based care, including midwives, physicians and nurse practitioners, who work together to support families through early pregnancy. Interior Health will employ a registered nurse, nurse practitioner and medical office assistant at First Steps which will now allow the clinic to follow maternity patients up to 30 weeks of their pregnancy. This is an extension from the previous service, which was up to 20 weeks. First Steps services will also expand to include postpartum care up to six weeks after birth. “Stabilizing high-quality, team-based care for pregnant and postpartum patients is the goal of all partners engaged in the First Steps Early Pregnancy Triage Clinic,” said Susan Brown, Interior Health president and CEO. “Through collaborative efforts, we are committed to providing expectant individuals and new parents with the necessary care and support during such a significant time in their lives.” Opened in September 2023, the First Steps Early Pregnancy Triage Clinic provides prenatal care for unattached and some attached patients in their early pregnancy. People who are newly pregnant without a care provider can call or text the First Steps Early Pregnancy Triage Clinic at 250-318-3821 to access care. The clinic has seen 395 maternity patients in five months of service and is estimated to serve approximately 800 patients per year. “We want to be here for people at such an important and vulnerable time,” said Joanna Norman, head of the First Steps Early Pregnancy Triage Clinic. “With this funding in place we will be able to care for many more patients seeking prenatal and postpartum care in the community.” The First Steps Early Pregnancy Triage Clinic is located in Tudor Village at 1315 Summit Drive, Kamloops. It is open Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.