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.

Construction has begun on a new BC Cancer centre in Kamloops that will provide people in the Thompson-Cariboo-Shuswap region with better access to cancer care closer to home.  "This new BC Cancer centre in Kamloops is the single largest capital investment into the expansion of cancer care in the Kamloops region,” said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Infrastructure. “By building a facility equipped with the latest technology designed to meet the growing treatment needs of patients in the area, we're helping more people have access to high-quality cancer care closer to home. This project is part of our broader commitment to strengthening health-care infrastructure across the province.” The centre is being built at the Westlands site at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops. Chemotherapy is available at Royal Inland’s community oncology network clinic in Kamloops. Currently, patients travel to Kelowna or the Lower Mainland for radiation treatment. At the new centre, radiation treatment will be provided in shielded treatment rooms with three high-energy radiation treatment linear accelerators (LINACS). Once the cancer centre opens to patients in 2028, it is expected to host 7,500 patient radiation consults and follow-up appointments annually. In its opening year, the centre is expected to provide approximately 16,500 treatments for up to 1,200 patients. This will save patients and their families time, stress and the burden of long-distance travel during care. “The new BC Cancer centre in Kamloops is about delivering life-saving care closer to where people live, and to their loved ones and support networks,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “When people can access care closer to home, we know it leads to better experiences and healthier outcomes. This centre is a vital step toward ensuring people in the Thompson-Cariboo-Shuswap region receive timely, high-quality cancer care, when and where they need it most.” The new BC Cancer centre will include: Radiation therapy planning including a computerized tomography scan (CT) simulator; Diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); An outpatient oncology ambulatory care unit, including exam rooms and consult rooms; An interfaith sacred space for for patients, caregivers and staff to recuperate and recharge; Staff support, including offices and workstations; and A 470-stall parkade. The project also includes expansion and upgrades to Royal Inland’s community oncology clinic and pharmacy. EllisDon Corporation has been selected to lead construction. Upgrades to the existing oncology clinic will continue, with work scheduled to finish at that site in 2029. The new facility will be operated by BC Cancer in partnership with Interior Health. The estimated cost of the project is approximately $386 million, shared between the Province and the Thompson Regional Hospital District. Royal Inland Hospital is one of two Interior Health tertiary referral hospitals, providing care for people in the Thompson-Cariboo-Shuswap region. It offers services including emergency care, surgeries, mental-health support, medical testing, cancer care and outpatient clinics. The new BC Cancer centre is part of B.C.’s 10-Year Cancer Action Plan, which sets out immediate steps to improve prevention, detection and treatment of cancer. Quick Facts: As the population grows and ages, the number of people diagnosed with cancer continues to increase. Upgrades to Royal Inland’s community oncology clinic will include modernizing and increasing the number of cancer-treatment spaces and exam rooms. The pharmacy will also be renovated and expanded, with enhanced functionality including the installation of improved dispensing and automated-dispensing replenishing area, along with additional storage. Learn More: To view the original funding announcement, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2024HLTH0016-000162 To learn more about B.C.’s 10-Year Cancer Action Plan, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023HLTH0012-000229 For more information about health capital projects in B.C., visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/accessing-health-care/capital-projects A backgrounder follows.

Due to potential gaps in maternity department physician scheduling, Interior Health is advising expectant parents and families of potential changes to maternity services at Royal Inland Hospital (RIH) over the summer, beginning July 26. Anyone in labour should go to RIH to be assessed and emergency care for people in imminent labour or experiencing urgent complications will be available at RIH. Expectant parents without a regular primary care or maternal care provider will be assessed at RIH and may be transported to alternate hospitals to deliver their babies if they require specialized care or their care history is unknown. If out-of-community care is required, families will be informed and transportation and accommodation supports will be provided if needed. Individuals with a maternal care provider will continue to receive care through their provider and will deliver at RIH, in most cases. We recognize the significant impact any change in maternity services can have on expectant individuals and families. Our top priority is to provide high quality and safe care to patients and newborns.  For information and assistance, patients may call 250-314-2635 to speak with RIH Labour and Delivery.

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. Wednesday, July 23 to 7 a.m. on Thursday, July 24, 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. 

Lillooet and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at Lillooet Hospital and Health Centre.   Emergency services will be unavailable from 7 p.m. on Sunday, July 20 to 8 a.m. Monday, July 21, 2025. Patients can access care at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops during this time.   All other inpatient services will continue at Lillooet 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 7 p.m. Friday, July 18 to 7 a.m. on Saturday, July 19, 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. 

Oliver and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at the South Okanagan General Hospital. Emergency services will be unavailable from 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 15 to 7 a.m. on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. Patients can access emergency care at the Penticton Regional Hospital in Penticton during this time. All other inpatient services will continue at the 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. 

Lillooet and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at Lillooet Hospital and Health Centre. Emergency services will be unavailable from 7 p.m. on Monday, July 14 to 8 a.m. on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. Patients can access care at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops during this time. All other inpatient services will continue at Lillooet 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.