Interior Health’s Digital Health Support Desk enables patients, caregivers and their families to have a better health-care experience when accessing IH virtual and digital tools. On Friday, July 15, that experience was enhanced with the addition of public technical support for online lab appointment bookings to the toll-free telephone service. “More people are using technology and so we’ve launched Digital Health Support as a one-stop shop to help navigate our various digital services,” said Mal Griffin, Interior Health vice president of digital health. “We formerly had separate support desks managed by different teams. With this change, we are continuing to enhance the user experience for patients and their families by providing one phone number they can call for support.” People can reach a Digital Health Support Desk team member by calling 1-844-870-4756. Support is offered for several digital services, including MyHealthPortal – an online tool that provides secure 24-7 access to one’s personal health information from a computer, tablet or smartphone. Assistance is also available for password/login ID resets, enrolments, proxy requests, and more. Support is also available to assist members of the public with booking or rescheduling an outpatient lab appointment or blood test. “We can also assist members of the public with using Zoom videoconferencing for a virtual appointment, whether you need help downloading Zoom or selecting the right audio and video settings, or even setting up a Zoom test visit. The Support Desk team can ensure you are prepared for an effective virtual experience,” added Griffin. Digital Health Support Desk hours of operation are Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. It is closed on statutory holidays. Calls are answered in the order they are received and may be recorded for quality assurance and training purposes. Learn more about Digital Health Support at Interior Health.

Summer is here and, for many of us in the B.C. Interior, it’s a time to enjoy actively moving around in our communities. Many people are enjoying alternative low carbon ways of getting around. E-scooters are a convenient, fun alternative to driving a car. Two Interior communities – Kelowna and Vernon – are currently participating in a three-year provincial pilot project, allowing residents and visitors to use electric kick scooters (e-scooters) under similar rules as bikes and e-bikes. In addition, many individuals across the region have access to their own e-scooter. As this newer form of transportation is sharing the road with other modes, Interior Health is committed to working with all partners to ensure injury prevention remains a top priority. Evidence from 2021 suggests an increase in the number of scooter-related injuries as compared to the previous five years. The most affected age groups were young individuals between the ages of 20 and 40, and the most common types of injuries were fracture of the upper extremities and open wounds to the head and neck. More than 90 per cent of individuals injured did not wear a helmet at the time of injury. “Road safety is everyone’s business,” said Dr. Silvina Mema, medical health officer, Interior Health. “It’s important that everyone plays their part to prevent transportation-related injuries and associated impacts experienced in our communities. There are significant health-care costs as well and personal impacts for people who experience serious injuries.” Interior Health is reminding anyone who uses a privately owned or shared e-scooter to keep safety top of mind and follow the e-scooter provider specifications. Here are a number of steps you can take to ride safely and reduce the risk of injury to yourself or others: Wear a helmet Don’t carry passengers (e.g., doubling) Never ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol If you are a less experienced rider, start slow and in areas of low traffic Ride at a safe speed and in designated areas such as protected lanes and quiet streets Remember you must be 16 or older to ride an e-scooter in B.C. (Kelowna-based operators currently require you to be 18 or older) Know the rules - familiarize yourself with where you can and cannot ride Ensure your e-scooter is equipped with a braking system and added safety features, including a bell, lights and reflectors These tips also apply to other types of active travel, such as cycling, skateboarding, non-electric scooters and roller skating/blading. Interior Health supports alternative modes of transportation and will continue to partner with communities to monitor health-related impacts. Information on the shared e-scooter programs operating within Interior Health, including their safe use and designated areas for riding, are available on the City of Kelowna, City of Vernon and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure's websites.

Please see the attached document to learn more about the look, contamination, and risk associated with the current drug alert.  View more toxic drug, environmental, and COVID-19 alerts

Please see the attached document to learn more about the look, contamination, and risk associated with the current drug alert.  View more toxic drug, environmental, and COVID-19 alerts

CLEARWATER - Clearwater and area residents are advised Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital Emergency Department is on diversion until 7 a.m. tomorrow, due to limited staffing availability. The emergency department is on diversion from: 9:30 p.m. Monday, July 18 to 7 a.m. Tuesday, July 19 Interior Health regrets this temporary change to normal operations and reminds residents to take note of the following if they require care while the emergency department is closed: In the event of an emergency, call 911. Visit the emergency department at: Royal Inland Hospital – 311 Columbia Street, Kamloops Call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 (24-hour service) if you are unsure of your need to seek emergency care. The emergency department in Clearwater is normally open 24/7.

People in the Interior will soon see an increase in surgical capacity as Interior Health adds five new operating rooms (OR): two at Kelowna General Hospital (KGH) and three at Royal Inland Hospital (RIH) in Kamloops, along with increased supports for staff. View full release

CRESTON – Creston and area residents are advised the Creston Valley Hospital emergency department will be on diversion tonight, due to limited staff availability. The emergency department is on diversion: 9 p.m. Sunday, July 17 until 7 a.m. Monday, July 18 Interior Health regrets this temporary change to normal operations and reminds residents to take note of the following if they require care while the emergency department is closed: In the event of an emergency, call 911. Visit the emergency department at: East Kootenay Regional Hospital – 12 24 Ave N, Cranbrook Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital – 1200 Hospital Bench, Trail Kootenay Lake Hospital – 3 View St, Nelson  Call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 (24-hour service) if you are unsure of your need to seek emergency care The emergency department in Creston is normally open 24/7.  

CLEARWATER - Clearwater and area residents are advised Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital Emergency Department is on diversion until 7 a.m. tomorrow, due to limited staffing availability. The emergency department is currently on diversion from: 6 p.m. Saturday, July 16 to 7 a.m. Monday, July 18 Interior Health regrets this temporary change to normal operations and reminds residents to take note of the following if they require care while the emergency department is closed: In the event of an emergency, call 911. Visit the emergency department at: Royal Inland Hospital – 311 Columbia Street, Kamloops Call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 (24-hour service) if you are unsure of your need to seek emergency care. The emergency department in Clearwater is normally open 24/7.

OLIVER – Oliver and area residents are advised the South Okanagan General Hospital emergency department will be on diversion on the afternoon of July 17, due to limited physician availability. The emergency department is currently on diversion: Sunday, July 17 from noon to 6 p.m. Interior Health regrets this temporary change to normal operations and reminds residents to take note of the following if they require care while the emergency department is closed: In the event of an emergency, call 911. Visit the emergency department at: Penticton Regional Hospital – 550 Carmi Ave, Penticton Call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 (24-hour service) if you are unsure of your need to seek emergency care The emergency department in Oliver is normally open 24/7.