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Residents in Kamloops and surrounding areas now have access to improved general X-ray and bone density testing services at the new Northills Centre Medical Imaging clinic at 42-700 Tranquille Rd. Formerly known as the North Shore Radiology Clinic, this upgraded facility offers improved services in a new, convenient location. ”The new Northills Centre Medical Imaging clinic will add capacity for over 8,000 X-rays and 3,000 bone density exams per year,” said B.C. Minister of Health, Adrian Dix. ”I am excited that residents in the Kamloops region will have access to improved medical imaging services closer to home.” "In addition to expanding access to X-ray tests, this clinic stands as the sole bone density clinic in the Thompson-Cariboo region. With clinic upgrades and new technology, we are excited to enhance medical imaging experiences for people in Kamloops and surrounding areas,” stated Susan Brown, Interior Health president and CEO. Upgraded bone density unit funded by Royal Inland Hospital FoundationNorthills Centre Medical Imaging is now home to an upgraded bone density unit, valued at $98,144, which was entirely funded by the Royal Inland Hospital (RIH) Foundation. A brand new X-ray machine and clinic renovations at Northills Centre Medical Imaging were funded by the Ministry of Health and the Thompson Regional Hospital District (TRHD) for a total of $917,000. The new X-ray machine, which replaces a 2004 model, provides better quality imaging and is easier to operate. "We are thrilled to enhance medical imaging services in our region through the acquisition of a new bone density machine for the Northills Centre Medical Imaging Clinic. Thanks to the generous contribution from an anonymous donor of the RIH Foundation, patients in the Thompson Cariboo Shuswap region can now benefit from this specialized service,” said Heidi Coleman, RIH Foundation CEO. “With advanced technology, we are committed to raising the standard of medical imaging experiences for the residents of Kamloops and the surrounding areas. Not only do we support the purchase of equipment inside the hospital, we are proud to support equipment needs in the community as well.” Situated on the North Shore of Kamloops, the new clinic boasts a prime location in a high-density neighborhood, with easy access to over 800 surface parking stalls. Its close proximity to the BC Transit North Shore Exchange will also benefit public transit users. “We're proud to have played a role in improving medical imaging services to people in Kamloops and the broader Thompson-Nicola region. The regional hospital district is committed to continue our advocacy for better health care in our rural areas and Kamloops,” said Mike O’Reilly, TRHD board chair. Upgraded X-ray machine jointly funded by the Ministry of Health and the Thompson Regional Hospital District.Northills Centre Medical Imaging shares a building with the North Shore Primary Care Centre and Northills Centre Laboratory, offering patients access to multiple health-care services seamlessly. The clinic opens from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. Bone density testing is by appointment only. X-ray is by appointment from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and drop-ins are available from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Appointment booking will be available at 250-314-2420.

The Rutland Health Centre has reopened its doors at a new location. Services are now accessible at 285 Aurora Cres, Suite 102 in Kelowna. Patient and client focused services offered at the new location include: Routine Immunizations: Infant (2, 4, 6, 12 and 18 months) Kindergarten (4-6 years of age) School ages (boosters and catch-up immunizations for grade 6 and 9) Adult boosters Clinically Extremely Vulnerable populations Early childhood public health nursing assessments for growth and development. Breastfeeding support and clinics. Pregnancy testing, counselling, and referrals. Distribution of harm reduction supplies. Preventive prophylaxis for confirmed communicable diseases, and Tuberculosis screening and follow-up. Health prevention and health promotion services to families. Community dental services, fluoride varnish, assessment. Referrals to speech and language pathologists, audiologists, nutritionists, community dental hygienist or other health-care providers may be offered as part of nursing assessment. The hours of operation for this new location will be from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Interior Health will offer childhood immunizations and early childhood health assessments on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month from 8:30 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. The clinic is closed on weekends and statutory holidays. Individuals can self-refer for services or receive a referral through a health-care provider. To make an appointment, call 250-980-4825 or drop-in at the site. The former location closed in August following a fire that did extensive damage to that facility.

Clearwater and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital due to limited nursing availability. From now until 7 p.m. today, emergency services will be unavailable and patients can access emergency care at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops. During this time, all other inpatient services will continue as normal 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. The emergency department in Clearwater 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 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 3. 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.

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 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2. 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.

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 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29. 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.

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 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28. 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.

Merritt and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at Nicola Valley Hospital due to limited physician availability. From 8 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 26 to 8 a.m. Monday, Nov. 27, 2023, emergency department services will be unavailable and 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 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 Merritt 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 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24 to 8 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 25. 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.