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UPDATE: Clearwater and area residents are advised that the emergency department at Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital has re-opened. Clearwater and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital. Emergency services will be unavailable from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025. Patients can access care at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops or 100 Mile House District General Hospital in 100 Mile House 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 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.

Interior Health is informing residents in Nelson and surrounding areas about new and more convenient ways to access a range of local health services starting, Tuesday, Aug. 12. Services previously offered at the Gordon Road Wellness Centre and Nelson Health Centre have now transitioned to be offered at one location – the new Nelson Community Health Services Centre, located at 902 Eleventh Street. In addition, some mental health and substance use (MHSU) services will be available at a separate Interior Health location at 201- 514 Vernon Street starting Monday, Aug. 18. The Nelson Community Health Services Centre and IH’s location at 201-514 Vernon Street are both open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The following is a list of specific services and where they will be offered: Moving from Moving to Programs Effective date Gordon Road Wellness Centre (905 Gordon Street) Nelson Community Health Services Centre -    adult day services -    allied health -    home health   Aug. 12, 2025 Nelson Health Centre (333 Victoria Street)   Nelson Community Health Services Centre     -    early childhood development -    environmental public health and licensing -    Interior Health Children's Assessment Network -    nurse practitioner(s) -    outreach services -    public health   Aug. 12, 2025 Nelson Health Centre (333 Victoria Street) Nelson Community Health Services Centre     -    substance use counselling and treatment  -    nurse practitioners -    seniors MHSU  -    psychiatry Aug. 12, 2025   Nelson Health Centre (333 Victoria Street) 201-514 Vernon Street  -    substance use counselling and treatment -    integrated case management -    psychiatry -    outreach and support -    crisis response and access Aug. 18, 2025   For more information, please visit the Interior Health website: www.interiorhealth.ca/locations/nelson-community-health-services-centre

Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued heat warnings for multiple areas in the Interior Health region starting August 10. The province has not declared an extreme heat emergency for this region. With elevated temperatures, the risk of heat-related illness increases.  Everyone is at risk of heat-related illness, but hot temperatures can be especially dangerous for seniors (ages 65 years or older); infants and young children; pregnant people; people with chronic health conditions and mental illnesses; people who work outdoors; and people who live alone or are socially isolated, homeless, or unsheltered. More details about extreme heat, including symptoms of heat-related illness and those most at risk, are available on the IH's Extreme Heat page and IH YouTube channel. When to call 911: In cases of heat stroke: loss of consciousness, disorientation, confusion, severe nausea or vomiting or very dark urine or no urine. In general: when there is chest pain, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, severe burns, choking, convulsions that are not stopping, a drowning, a severe allergic reaction, a head injury, signs of a stroke, signs of an overdose or a major trauma. If you have a less urgent health concern: You can call HealthLinkBC at 811 and speak with a nurse or go to an urgent care centre or clinic if you can do so safely. That way, our emergency medical dispatch staff and paramedics will be available for people who need their services the most. There are also online tools at healthlinkbc.ca, including a “Check Your Symptoms” tool. Steps to protect yourself, and those around you from heat-related illness: Keep your home cool by: Opening windows when the outdoor temperature goes down below the indoor temperature at night Shut windows and close curtains/blinds to keep cooler air in and the sun out Avoid making meals using the oven For those who qualify, free portable air conditioners are available through FortisBC and BC Hydro.  Important: If you are experiencing extreme heat during an air quality advisory, prioritize cooling down. Heat is typically more dangerous than short-term exposure to poor air quality. Keep your body cool by: Wearing a damp towel or shirt Taking a cool bath or shower Putting an ice tray in front of a fan Using a personal mister or spray bottle Drinking lots or water Lowering your activity level and avoiding intense activities Important: While fans can help you feel more comfortable, they do not work to lower body temperature at temperatures over 35C. Do your best to take care of high-risk individuals by: Visiting them to check the indoor temperature of their home Encouraging them to take cool baths and sleep in their coolest room, such as the basement Invite them to your house if you have air conditioning Never leave children, dependent adults or pets alone in a parked car. Leaving windows open will not help. Keep up to date on weather alerts and information: Download the WeatherCAN app Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) live map  The BC Centre for Disease Control provides a broad range of heat-related guidance, including information on the different types of heat alerts, how to prepare for hot temperatures, symptoms of heat-related illnesses, those most at risk during hot weather and ways to stay cool.   More information can also be found in B.C.’s Extreme Heat Preparedness Guide.

Oliver and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at South Okanagan General Hospital. Emergency services will be unavailable from 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9 to 7 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025. Patients can access emergency care at 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, Aug. 8 to 7 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025. Patients can access emergency care at 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.

Keremeos and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency services hours at South Similkameen Health Centre. Emergency services will be unavailable now until 6 p.m. today, Aug. 8, 2025. Patients can access emergency care at Penticton Regional Hospital or at Princeton General Hospital during this time. All other inpatient services will continue at South Similkameen Health Centre. 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 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, August 5, 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.

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 Monday, August 4 to 12 p.m. on Tuesday, August 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. 

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 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. on Sunday, August 3, and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, August 4. 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.