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Lillooet and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at Lillooet Hospital and Health Centre due to limited physician availability. Emergency services will be unavailable from 7 a.m. on Sunday, August 18 to 8 a.m. on Tuesday, August 20, 2024. Patients can access care at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops during this time. All other inpatient services will continue as normal at Lillooet 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 Lillooet is normally open 24/7.

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 5 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Sunday, August 18.  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 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. 

 Merritt and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at the Nicola Valley Hospital and Health Centre in Merritt B.C. due to limited physician availability.  Emergency services will be unavailable from 6 a.m. on Saturday, August 17 to 8 a.m. on Sunday, August 18, 2024. Patients can access care at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops during this time. All other inpatient services will continue as normal at Nicola Valley 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 Merritt is normally open 24/7.

People in the Central Okanagan will have increased access to dedicated dialysis services as the Kelowna Community Dialysis Unit opens in a new location at 102-1835 Gordon Drive on Aug. 26, 2024. "The expansion of the Kelowna Community Dialysis Unit will significantly enhance dialysis care in the Central Okanagan. By increasing service capacity, we are addressing the growing demand for dialysis treatment in the community” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. To meet the growing population in Kelowna and surrounding areas, the Community Dialysis Unit is increasing from eight to 11 chairs in this new, purpose-built space, which also has the potential for up to 14 chairs depending on demand. Outpatient dialysis treatment will be provided to medically stable and independent patients with kidney disease. The expansion means up to 8,736 dialysis treatments will be provided annually in the Central Okanagan community, an increase of 3,744 yearly treatments when all chairs are fully utilized. "Expanding the Kelowna Community Dialysis Unit is an important step forward in enhancing dialysis care in the region. Increasing the capacity means there will be shorter transition wait times and we will have the ability to accommodate more patients, which is essential given the rising prevalence of kidney disease,” said Susan Brown, president and CEO, Interior Health. “This investment not only improves patient outcomes, but also supports the broader health-care system by providing timely and efficient health care." The expanded unit has been designed to meet the needs of dialysis patients and offers a culturally safe space for the Indigenous community. There will be two ceiling lifts that will assist nursing staff in providing dialysis treatment to patients with mobility challenges as well as a droplet precaution room that meets infection prevention and control standards to provide treatment for people with communicable diseases. Each dialysis station will also be equipped with a ceiling-mounted radiant heater to accommodate patients with kidney disease who are more sensitive to cold due to vascular disease. Additionally, the expanded space will allow nurses to offer training for home dialysis modalities, such as peritoneal dialysis and home hemodialysis, reducing the need for patients to travel to Kelowna General Hospital (KGH) for this initial training. Dialysis is a life-sustaining treatment that is typically required three to four times a week. Community dialysis units are strategically located to offer treatments closer to patients’ homes. The Kelowna Community Dialysis Unit will serve patients six days a week from Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. “As a dialysis patient, I am incredibly grateful for the expansion of the Kelowna Community Dialysis Unit. The new facility will make a significant difference knowing that there will be more dialysis stations available which means shorter wait times and more convenient scheduling, easing the burden of managing my condition, said Mary-Kay Polacco, Kelowna dialysis patient “The new features and increased capacity will bring greater quality of care and support, making it easier to maintain my health.” The relocation and renovations to the community dialysis unit cost $4.39 million and are being funded by BC Renal. The KGH Foundation also contributed $90,000 helping provide this new space with local artwork, additional furniture, emotional support pet beds, bariatric hemodialysis chairs as well as additional comforts to both the waiting room and hybrid rooms. “In addition to ensuring access to life-saving dialysis care for current and future patients, this expansion project supports uptake of independent/home-based dialysis therapies, which offer a range of benefits including a more flexible schedule, enhanced ability to travel and overall health outcomes and quality of life,” said Dr. Adeera Levin, Executive Director of BC Renal. “BC Renal applauds the Interior Health Renal Program for their commitment to improving coordination of care and empowering patients to be active players in managing their disease.” To learn more about kidney health and renal programs and services in Interior Health, visit: https://www.interiorhealth.ca/health-and-wellness/healthy-living/kidney-health

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 1 p.m. on Friday, August 16 to 12 p.m. on Saturday, August 17. 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 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.  The emergency department in Oliver is normally open 24/7.

Residents of the Pavilion long-term care home in New Denver are now home following the lifting of a local evacuation alert and the re-opening of Highway 6. Residents were moved to alternate locations on July 25 due to risks associated with the Slocan Complex fire. Interior Health would like to thank all partners involved for supporting the safe relocation and repatriation of these residents. IH continues to closely monitor wildfire activity in the Interior in consultation with municipalities, regional districts, and the BC Wildfire Service to keep patients, clients, and individuals in long-term care safe. Those requiring support during this crisis are encouraged to call the BC Crisis Line at 310-6789, KUU-US Indigenous Crisis Services at 1-800-588-8717, or MNBC Métis Crisis Line at 1-833-638-4722. Everyone is reminded to make preparations for wildfires, and smoky skies as air quality deteriorates by visiting: https://www.interiorhealth.ca/health-and-wellness/natural-disasters-and-emergencies/wildfires Install the BC Wildfire Service mobile app (Android or iOS) or visit the BC Wildfire Service Dashboard to find information on current wildfire activity: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status The FireWork Forecast shows maps of predicted smoke impacts over the next 48 hours: https://weather.gc.ca/firework

People living in the Williams Lake area will benefit from more access to team-based health care with a new urgent and primary care centre (UPCC) coming in early 2025. “We’re committed to ensuring that everyone in B.C. can access the health care they need no matter where and when they need it, and the new Williams Lake UPCC is a great step forward in this direction,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “With its extended hours of operation, this centre will make it easier for people in the community to connect with health services closer to home that they can count on, now and in the future.” Located at 47 Cameron St., once open, the new Williams Lake UPCC will provide urgent and episodic primary care seven days a week, including statutory holidays, when fully operational. “With a new UPCC, we are working to increase access to primary care services for the people in Williams Lake,” said Susan Brown, president and CEO, Interior Health. “With team-based care, patients will be able to see the most appropriate health-care provider for both their urgent and primary care needs.” The UPCC will provide same-day care for people who need access to primary care within 12 to 24 hours, but do not require an emergency department. Conditions such as sprains, cuts, fevers and minor infections are appropriate for the UPCC. People can access the centre’s primary care via in-person, walk-in same-day appointments. The UPCC will be available to people who do not have a primary care provider, as well as people with a provider who are unable to schedule an appointment within 12 to 24 hours. When fully staffed, approximately 18 full-time-equivalent health-care providers will provide care, including family physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, physiotherapists, Indigenous patient navigators and administrative staff. “The Williams Lake UPCC will provide much-needed health-care services to the community,” said Al Richmond, chair, Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District. “I look forward to the UPCC opening early next year and residents in the area having increased access to health services.” There are nine UPCCs operating in the Interior Health region in Vernon, Kamloops, Kelowna, Castlegar, West Kelowna, Cranbrook, Penticton, Ashcroft and Rutland. The capital cost of the UPCC is being shared by the provincial government through Interior Health and the Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District. Learn More: To learn more about UPCCs in the Interior Health region, visit: https://www.interiorhealth.ca/information-for/patients-and-visitors/urgent-and-primary-care-centres To read about B.C.’s primary health strategy, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/accessing-health-care/bcs-primary-care-system and https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2018PREM0034-001010 To learn more about the Province’s health human resource strategy, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2022HLTH0059-001464 Read original news release on BC Gov News

100 Mile House and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at 100 Mile District General Hospital due to limited physician availability. Emergency department services will be unavailable from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, August 14. Patients can access care at Cariboo Memorial Hospital in Williams Lake, Lillooet Hospital and Health Centre in Lillooet or Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops. 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.    The emergency department in 100 Mile House is normally open 24/7.

Williams Lake and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at Cariboo Memorial Hospital. Emergency services will be unavailable from 8 p.m. on Saturday, August 10 to 6 a.m. on Sunday, August 11, 2024. Patients can access care at 100 Mile District General Hospital in 100 Mile House, GR Baker Memorial Hospital in Quesnel, or Bella Coola General Hospital in Bella Coola during this time. All other inpatient services will continue as normal at Cariboo Memorial 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 Cariboo Memorial Hospital is normally open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.