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 Sunday, Aug. 17 until 7 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 18, 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.   

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. on Saturday, August 16 until 8 a.m. on Sunday, August 17. Patients can access emergency 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 5 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 16, 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 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 Province and the Nelson Police Department have launched HealthIM, a digital public-safety tool designed to improve officer response to people in crisis. “When people are in distress because of a mental-health or substance-use emergency and they call the police, we need a rapid risk-screening tool to make sure they are safe and connected to the care they need,” said Nina Krieger, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “HealthIM has proven to be a valuable asset to help police officers safely and effectively de-escalate complex situations. Our government will continue to support law enforcement with initiatives that are making a real difference on the ground.” HealthIM is a digital public-safety system to improve emergency police response in mental-health and addiction crisis situations, increasing safety for first responders, health-care providers and the person in crisis. By facilitating better communication, HealthIM aims to help officers gain insight into the factors behind a person’s behaviour, leading to more informed and compassionate interactions. “When someone is facing a mental-health or substance-use crisis, timely, compassionate care can be lifesaving,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “By improving how police and health-care teams share information, HealthIM ensures people in crisis are met with compassion and connected more quickly to the care they need. This is another step toward a more responsive, integrated system throughout B.C.” The responding officer is guided through a series of questions using HealthIM to help facilitate a better assessment of the person in crisis. The system also improves communication with health-care partners by using consistent clinical language and provides critical information to doctors and nurses immediately. Other benefits include: the assessment of risk of harm to self or others, which helps determine the best way that person can receive help; provides specific safety and de-escalation information about the person to facilitate a trauma-informed response, leading to better outcomes; alerts health-care partners to incoming people escorted by emergency responders and flags instances of weapon possession and/or violent behaviour; and a risk of harm-analysis history can be developed over time, providing insight into how to assist those with previous police contact. “The provincewide rollout of HealthIM reflects strong collaboration across police, government and health authorities,” said Chief Supt. Wendy Mehat, president, BC Association of Chiefs of Police. “HealthIM supports a trauma-informed response that connects individuals to alternate pathways of care that not only leads to better outcomes for people in crisis, but enhances safety for officers, health-care staff and the broader community. Police leaders in British Columbia see HealthIM as a meaningful tool in helping divert individuals away from the criminal justice system with the respect and care they deserve, while also creating a more inclusive, compassionate response for all.” As part of its commitment to building safer communities, the B.C. government provides $2 million annually to the BC Association of Chiefs of Police to support the rollout of HealthIM across municipal police departments throughout the province. HealthIM launched in Nelson on May 28, 2025, in partnership with Kootenay Lake Hospital, and will help ensure that individuals in crisis receive timely and appropriate care. Quotes: Brittny Anderson, MLA for Kootenay Central – “Implementing HealthIM within the Nelson Police Department marks a major step forward in improving emergency response to people in crisis. I’m proud that Nelson is the second municipal police department in the province to adopt this innovative public-safety platform, and I look forward to seeing how it enhances officers’ ability to support those in distress.” Janice Morrison, mayor of Nelson – “We appreciate having the opportunity to use this tool within the Nelson Police Department to provide an increased level of understanding and compassionate care while working to de-escalate situations with individuals in crisis.” Donovan Fisher, chief constable, Nelson Police Department – “The HealthIM tool has the potential to be very impactful for smaller and mid-sized departments, providing a better quality of service, while also freeing up our limited number of officers from mental-health and distress calls much earlier, allowing them to respond to other calls for service. This is good for both our clients and the community.” Sylvia Weir, interim president and CEO, Interior Health – "Kootenay Lake Hospital is the first Interior Health site to launch HealthIM, representing a positive step forward in patient-centred care. This initiative strengthens our partnership with the Nelson Police Department, improves communication during mental-health crises, enhances emergency department readiness and supports hospital staff in delivering safe, appropriate care to individuals in crisis.” Quick Facts: Nelson is the second police department, after Port Moody, to implement HealthIM through provincial support. HealthIM is also available in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. Learn More: To learn more about HealthIM, visit: https://www.healthim.com/ To learn more about the Safer Communities Action Plan, visit: https://strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/safe-communities/ Read the original release on BC Gov News

Effective Aug. 15, children in the Okanagan will now have access to all pediatric services at Kelowna General Hospital (KGH), including the pediatric inpatient unit. Interior Health is welcoming three new pediatricians who are joining the KGH team between now and the beginning of September, with an additional pediatrician expected to join in November. IH also welcomed a new associate physician to KGH in early July who is supporting work in the pediatric unit, and a second associate physician will join the team in September. “These new physicians, combined with our existing medical staff, mean the inpatient unit has capacity to serve all pediatric patients in our area who need care,” said Dr. Mark Masterson, Interior Health’s vice-president, medicine. “I want to thank our team at the hospital and staff and physicians throughout the Interior region who came together to support pediatric care during this time.” Some pediatric inpatient services were previously reintroduced to KGH on July 13, including elective pediatric surgeries, diagnostic procedures that require a child be sedated, and admitting patients to the pediatric unit during daytime hours. Tomorrow’s return to full operations means physicians and staff will be available, providing day and night-time coverage, pending any unforeseen circumstances. The pediatric unit staffing schedule is underway for the remainder of 2025 while recruitment is ongoing to further build the pediatric care team and provide the best care possible for all admitted children who require assessment by a pediatrician. To preserve critical pediatric services, Interior Health implemented a general pediatric service disruption to the 10-bed inpatient unit at KGH on May 26. During this period, 22 pediatric patients required transfer to other sites due to the service disruption. Interior Health leadership continues to focus on rebuilding relationships with community pediatricians and medical staff through direct engagement, in partnership with Doctors of BC.

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.