Merritt and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at Nicola Valley Hospital. Emergency services will be unavailable starting immediately to 5 a.m. on Saturday, March 15, 2025. 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 at Nicola Valley Hospital is normally open 24/7.

People in Kelowna and the syilx Okanagan Nation are one step closer to having a new long-term care home as contracts with the prime consultant and construction manager have been signed for the Cottonwoods Care Centre redevelopment project. The prime consultant contract has been awarded to Stantec Architecture Ltd. The construction manager contract has been awarded to Bird Construction Group. "It is so important for seniors to be able to receive quality long-term care close to home. Seeing this groundwork is a major milestone," said Susie Chant, Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors and Long Term Care. "The Cottonwoods Care Home will ensure that seniors in the central Okanagan can maintain their community and family connections, while benefitting from a brand-new modernized and expanded facility that feels like home."   Interior Health will construct a new four-storey 234 bed long-term care home on the current Cottonwoods Care Centre site located at 2255 Ethel St. When complete, Cottonwoods Care Centre will increase from 221 to 314 beds as 80 beds from the current Cottonwoods Care Centre will continue to operate. A rendering of the Cottonwoods Care Centre redevelopment. "Seniors in the Okanagan are one step closer to receiving more options for long-term care," said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Infrastructure. "Our government is making record investments to strengthen healthcare for people in B.C., and expanding and replacing Cottonwoods Care Centre will offer residents compassionate support in a modern, four-storey care home." "This new care home will benefit central Okanagan seniors by using a person-centred model of care, in a home-like setting,” said Susan Brown, president and CEO, Interior Health. “Delivered by well-trained, compassionate and caring nursing and support services staff, people will see the new and expanded site incorporate best practices for infection prevention, privacy and cultural sensitivity.” The care home will be designed as “households” accommodating 12 or 18 residents in single-bed rooms with private washrooms. The care home will include the social and recreational spaces found in a typical home-like environment, such as a living room, dining room, activity space and access to the outdoors. It will incorporate leading practice design features for people experiencing dementia and include culturally sensitive design elements to serve a diverse population in the community. There will be community spaces and services for residents, families, visitors and staff, such as art and activity rooms, a hair salon, a sacred space and a 25-space adult day program for people living more independently in the community. As well, a childcare space will be constructed with capacity for 37 children. “The Central Okanagan Regional Hospital District is thrilled that we are one step closer to breaking ground for a new state-of-the-art care home at Cottonwoods. Long-term care is a vital resource we may all need someday,” said Tom Dyas, chair, Central Okanagan Regional Hospital District. “This project is a significant investment in the well-being of our community members and the dedicated staff who care for them.” The estimated capital cost of the project is $186.87 million, with $112.12 million provided by the provincial government through Interior Health, and $74.75 million from the Central Okanagan Regional Hospital District. The Cottonwoods redevelopment is a two-phase project. Phase 1 is construction of a new four-storey building, expected to begin in fall 2025 and complete in summer 2027. Once Phase 1 is complete, and the LTC program has moved into the new building, Phase 2 will begin. This includes demolition of one of the existing buildings and construction of the adult day service and childcare space, expected to be complete in spring 2029. To meet growing demand over the past five years, government has invested approximately $2 billion to expand and improve quality care for seniors in British Columbia, including investments in primary care, home health, long-term care and assisted living.

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 a.m. on Thursday, March 13, 2025 to 8 a.m. on Friday, March 14, 2025. 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 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 Lillooet is normally open 24/7.

Residents of the Central Okanagan now have the option to receive hospital-level care from the comfort and privacy of their own home with the launch of Interior Health’s first Hospital at Home (HaH) program at Kelowna General Hospital (KGH). “Providing patients the ability to receive care and recover in their own homes is good for the patient and benefits the health-care system,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “This internationally recognized program has been proven in other health authorities with very successful results. As our government continues to increase access and strengthen the health-care system, this will improve care at Kelowna General Hospital.” The HaH program is an innovative model of care that allows some KGH patients to receive hospital-care in the comfort of their own homes. This option is available for patients with acute medical needs requiring hospitalization and inpatient care, provided it is deemed safe and appropriate. A dedicated team of health professionals will provide daily visits, virtual consultations, and 24/7 support to ensure high-quality care. “Giving patients the option to recover in their own home improves not only their comfort and independence but also their overall experience with the health-care system,” said Susan Brown, president and CEO, Interior Health. “Hospital at Home combines quality and patient centred care beyond our acute facilities, because for some patients home is best.” Patients receiving care through the HaH program will be supported in their homes by a dedicated team of health-care professionals, including physicians, pharmacists, registered nurses, and allied health providers, who focus on meeting each patient’s unique needs. Each day, patients will receive at least one in-person visit, along with regular virtual check-ins, ensuring consistent and personalized care. Since January, the HaH program has supported 30 patients in Kelowna. Qualifying patients must be medically and geographically appropriate for the program and participation is voluntary. While in the HaH program, patients have a virtual call bell and phone number to connect with their care team 24/7. If patients no longer want to participate in the program or their condition changes, the health authority will co-ordinate their transfer back to the hospital. “As one of Canada’s fastest-growing metropolitan areas, it is crucial that we continue to evolve our health care services to meet the needs of our growing and aging population,” said Tom Dyas, Chair of the Central Okanagan Regional Hospital District. “By providing hospital care in the comfort of patients’ homes, the Hospital at Home program is a significant step forward in delivering accessible, sustainable and high-quality health care to our community.” To learn more about the Hospital at Hope program, visit: https://www.interiorhealth.ca/information-for/patients-and-visitors/hospital-at-home

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 a.m. on Monday, Mar. 10 to 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Mar. 12, 2025. 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 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 Lillooet is normally open 24/7.

Merritt and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at Nicola Valley Hospital. Emergency services will be unavailable from 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 8 to 7 a.m., Sunday, March 9, 2025. 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 at Nicola Valley Hospital is normally open 24/7.

Merritt and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at Nicola Valley Hospital.    Emergency services will be unavailable from 6 p.m. on Friday, March 7 to 7 a.m., Saturday, March 8, 2025. 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 at Nicola Valley Hospital is normally open 24/7.  

Merritt and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at Nicola Valley Hospital. Emergency services will be unavailable from 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 4 to 7 a.m., Wednesday, March 5, 2025. 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 at Nicola Valley Hospital is normally open 24/7.

100 Mile House and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at 100 Mile District General Hospital. Emergency department services are unavailable from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, March 3, 2025. Patients can access care at Cariboo Memorial Hospital in Williams Lake. 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.