Dr. Robert Halpenny has been appointed chair of Interior Health's board of directors, succeeding Dr. Doug Cochrane after his passing earlier this month. "Dr. Halpenny brings with him a wealth of experience and knowledge in his career, which includes an extensive history of working with B.C.'s health authorities," said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. "He was instrumental in delivering the tertiary cardiac program to Interior Health, as well as the provision of helicopter services to meet the needs of patients in the region. Dr. Halpenny brings strong leadership qualities to the Interior Health board." Halpenny will serve as Interior Health board chair until the end of 2026. Since 2015, he has been the chair of the Medical Services Commission, which oversees adherence to the Canada Health Act and Medicare Protection Act. He also was government representative with the commission from 2005-16. For eight years, Halpenny worked as a family physician in Vancouver. His career as a health administrator spans more than 30 years, which included health-care societies in Vancouver, a hospital in Colorado, time at Fraser Health and the Provincial Health Services Authority, and eight years at Interior Health, where he served as senior medical director and for five years as president and CEO. Additionally, William Michael Gerrand and Bonnie Charlene Anne Pearson have been appointed to the board for a one-year term, ending Feb. 28, 2025. Gerrand is a principal with the accounting firm Grant Thornton LLP. Pearson is a labour leader with experience in the health-care sector. "The addition of the new board members will bring a depth of knowledge and community experience, from both public and private sectors, and I look forward to our continued work together," Dix said. A health authority board of directors helps ensure British Columbians receive the best care in an efficient, well-managed public health-care system. Boards are responsible for the governance and management of health services in the province. They work with health authority leadership to establish the organization's overall vision and ensure there is appropriate community consultation. Boards also regularly review the organization's long-term plans, look at significant issues affecting the organization and evaluate results. Learn more: Learn more about Interior Health's board of directors. To read the statement on the passing of Dr. Doug Cochrane, visit:https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2024HLTH0022-000234

Residents of Nakusp and area are advised that Interior Health has secured nursing coverage and the emergency department at Arrow Lakes Hospital has re-opened.   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 Nakusp is normally open 24/7. 

Nakusp and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at Arrow Lakes Hospital due to limited nursing availability.  Emergency services will be unavailable from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb 26. Patients can access care at Kootenay Lake Hospital during this time.  All other inpatient services will continue as normal at Arrow Lakes 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 District General Hospital due to limited nursing availability. Emergency services will be unavailable from 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb 24 to 7 a.m. on Sunday, Feb 25. Patients can access care at Cariboo Memorial Hospital during this time. During this time, all other inpatient services will continue as normal at 100 Mile 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.  The emergency department in 100 Mile House 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 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb 24. 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.

Interior Health president and CEO Susan Brown has issued the following statement on the loss of Interior Health Board Chair Dr. Doug Cochrane: “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Doug Cochrane, Chair, Interior Health Board of Directors.  “Dr. Cochrane joined Interior Health in 2017, and every day since then, he demonstrated a deep commitment to continuous improvement of patient care, quality and safety knowing it would lead to improved health outcomes for the people we serve. Doug leaves a lasting legacy as he guided our reconciliation efforts from a personal commitment to listening and learning from Indigenous peoples in the Interior, their histories and how the current systems in place have impacted them directly. Indigenous health and wellness were of particular importance to Doug as he served as Co-Chair of both the First Nations and Métis partnership leadership tables. “Doug’s contributions to British Columbia’s health-care system overall are unparalleled, having chaired the BC Patient Safety Task Force from its inception in 2003 to the creation of the BC Patient Safety & Quality Council (now known as Health Quality BC) and as the provincial patient safety and quality officer from 2008 to 2019. Doug was also past chair of the Canadian Patient Safety Institute. “Doug was a highly esteemed mentor and educator, with more than three decades of clinical expertise as a pediatric neurosurgeon. He was appointed Professor Emeritus by the UBC department of surgery in 2016 and served as faculty for the Health Quality BC Quality Academy and Clinician Quality Academy programs, as well as the Sauder Physician Leadership program at UBC. “I will miss Doug as a colleague, mentor, and friend and remember him for his kind and gentle approach to leadership, always willing to take on the toughest of challenges in the most human of ways.  “On behalf of Interior Health, I extend our deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.” Related Stories@IH: Remembering Interior Health Chair Dr. Doug Cochrane Read statement from Adrian Dix, Minister of Health

New Denver and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at Slocan Community Health Centre due to limited nursing availability. From 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, emergency services will be unavailable and patients can access care at Arrow Lakes Hospital at 97 - 1st Ave NE, Nakusp. 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 New Denver is normally open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week while Interior Health continues to recruit to fill positions to return to 24/7 operations.

Please see the attached document to learn more about the look, contamination, and risk associated with the current drug alert.

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 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb 16 until 5 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 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.