As part of continued expansions in mental health and substance use supports, Interior Health is introducing new outpatient withdrawal management services in four communities and a new virtual option to make accessing care easier across the region.   “When people with substance use challenges make the courageous decision to reach out for help, there needs to be services to meet them where they are at,” said Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “With new outpatient withdrawal management options across the Interior, more people will be able to access the help they need – faster. This is just one step as our government continues to build a comprehensive and seamless continuum of mental health and additions care that works for all British Columbians.” The outpatient model means a person doesn’t need to be admitted to a facility to receive withdrawal support. Instead, patients will receive care, including the prescribing of medications as required, in their own home. “Each person’s experience with addiction, and path to recovery, is unique,” said Interior Health president and CEO, Susan Brown. “Interior Health is pleased to be expanding outpatient withdrawal services, and we are committed to supporting people across the region in their recovery journeys.” In addition to creating a regional virtual addiction medicine clinic, new outpatient withdrawal management teams will run seven days a week in Penticton, Kamloops, Vernon and Kelowna. The new nursing positions have been posted and recruitment is ongoing. Services will be implemented as these staff are hired and trained, with service starts anticipated by summer 2022.   These new outpatients programs are in addition to expanded services in the North Okanagan, five new youth withdrawal management beds recently awarded in Kamloops, 22 adult withdrawal beds to serve people across the Okanagan, Integrated Treatment Teams to provide multidisciplinary outreach to people who need flexible support, and growing access to Opioid Agonist Treatment through IH’s nurse prescriber program. For information on substance use services in Interior Health, visit interiorhealth.ca or call 310-MHSU (6478). Quick facts: Medically supported withdrawal management, sometimes called detox, is an important option for people with significant alcohol or other substance use concerns. Beyond physical and mental discomfort, withdrawal can cause medical complications that put people at risk of seizures, hallucinations, and even death. The outpatient model is expected to be particularly helpful for people who may face barriers in accessing inpatient (bed-based) withdrawal management.

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

Interior Health has awarded a contract for five new youth withdrawal management beds in Kamloops. “Our government is working urgently to build a comprehensive and seamless continuum of care and these new youth withdrawal management beds are a vital part of that,” said Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “These beds will help youth in the Interior on their pathway to recovery.” These five beds are in addition to 10 youth substance use treatment beds announced a year ago for Kamloops and another 10 in Kelowna. “Interior Health is committed to expanding and strengthening substance use services in Kamloops and the surrounding area,” said Interior Health president and CEO, Susan Brown. “Thanks to support from the Province and community partners, we are pleased to offer more services for young people struggling with substance use challenges.” This contract is awarded to Kamloops Society for Alcohol and Drug Services to provide community-based youth withdrawal management services, housing and hospitality services in its Phoenix Centre facility. The target population is individuals living in Interior Health aged 12 to 24 who are seeking withdrawal management for a variety of substance use challenges. “We are excited to support young clients in a safe and culturally relevant environment and implement a philosophy of care that is client-directed with a focus on developing strengths and resiliency,” said Phoenix Centre executive director, Siân Lewis. The new beds are expected to open this fall. Withdrawal management – sometimes called detox – provides short-term medical supervision and support to people who are experiencing withdrawal symptoms related to the discontinuation of alcohol and some drugs. In certain circumstances, medical supervision is important because of the potentially serious health risks related to withdrawal. Clients accessing this service stay in a facility with 24-hour staff support from a multi-disciplinary team. In addition to medically supervised support for withdrawing from alcohol or other drugs, other services are available such as supportive counselling, substance use education, daily programming, and referrals to relevant services to support ongoing journey to recovery. The new beds in Interior Health are part of the Province’s commitment to double the number of youth substance use beds available in B.C. announced on August 13, 2020. The Ministry of Health and Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions committed to implementing 123 new beds across the province as part of the 10-year strategy Pathway to Hope. Mental health and substance use services for people throughout the Interior continue to develop. Integrated Treatment Teams are working throughout Interior Health to embed multidisciplinary outreach to people who need flexible support that works for them. Access to Opioid Agonist Treatment is growing, with the nurse prescriber program continuing to expand; and more mental health and substance use clinicians hired in communities across Interior Health. For more information about substance use services in Interior Health, visit www.interiorhealth.ca. Quick facts: Withdrawal management beds are one piece of a continuum of care for addiction issues. Others include outpatient-based and in-patient treatment. It is important to have a range of services available as each person’s experience with addiction is unique, as is their experience of recovery. The new beds will be available for youth living anywhere in Interior Health between the ages of 12-24 who are experiencing withdrawal symptoms related to the discontinuation of alcohol and some drugs. Interior Health is committed to promoting healthy lifestyles and providing a wide range of quality health-care services to more than 801,000 people living across B.C.’s vast interior. For more information, visit www.interiorhealth.ca, follow us on Twitter @Interior_Health, Instagram @interiorhealthbc or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/interiorhealth.ca. Kamloops Society for Alcohol and Drug Services (KSADS) has been providing substance use services and advocacy for individuals, families and communities in the Interior region since 1973. The Society opened the Phoenix Centre in 1982 offering in-patient medical withdrawal management (detox) and outpatient programming for youth, adults and families. Services include Detox, Supportive Transitional Living in Recovery (STLR), Raven (youth counselling and support to families), Osprey (day treatment programming for youth involved with MCFD) and Adolescent Outreach (youth counselling services in both Merritt and Kamloops). KSADS also works closely with school districts in both Kamloops and Merritt providing onsite support to youth dealing with substance use issues. – 30 – Media, for information: Interior Health Media@interiorhealth.ca                       1-844-469-7077 Siân Lewis, Executive Director Phoenix Centre Kamloops Society for Alcohol and Drug Services sian.lewis@phoenixcentre.org 250-374-4634

Clearwater and area residents are advised that the emergency department at Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital will be closed from 4 p.m. April 6 to 7 a.m. April 7 due to unforeseen limited staffing availability. 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 9-1-1. Visit the emergency department at one of the following facilities: 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.

Ashcroft and area residents are advised of a temporary closure of the emergency department at the Ashcroft Hospital and Community Health Care Centre this weekend due to unforeseen limited staffing availability.   Normal emergency department hours in Ashcroft are currently 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.   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 9-1-1. Visit the emergency department at one of the following facilities: Royal Inland Hospital – 311 Columbia Street, Kamloops Nicola Valley Hospital - 3451 Voght Street, Merritt Call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 (24 hour service) if you are unsure of your need to seek emergency care.   The emergency department is expected to re-open April 8 at 5 p.m.

Clearwater and area residents are advised that the emergency department at Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital will be closed from 5 a.m. April 3 to 7 a.m. April 5 due to unforeseen limited staffing availability.   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 9-1-1. Visit the emergency department at one of the following facilities: 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.

Interior Health is actively recruiting healthcare staff in Ashcroft and throughout the region. “We are recruiting to fill vacancies in the beautiful community of Ashcroft and offering a variety of incentives such as relocation assistance and loan forgiveness programs to encourage rewarding careers in health-care,” said Interior Health president and CEO, Susan Brown. “Anyone interested in making a positive difference in people’s lives and living in some of the most beautiful communities in the world, should consider career opportunities with Interior Health.”   Why Choose Interior Health? Relocation Assistance - Qualified candidates for permanent and temporary placements may be eligible for financial relocation assistance to help you with the move. Rural Retention Grant – Registered Nurses who have made an employment commitment to fill positions in hard-to-fill locations in the Interior’s rural and remote communities, including Ashcroft, may be eligible for the Rural Retention Grant. BC Top Employer – The employees, physicians and volunteers have made Interior Health a top employer. This special designation recognizes the BC employers that lead their industries in offering exceptional places to work. BC Loan Forgiveness Program – Recent graduates in select in-demand occupations can have their BC student loans forgiven by agreeing to work in communities, such as Ashcroft. Check out the program details to see if you’re eligible. "Ashcroft is one of the best-kept secrets in the Interior, a place that combines small town charm and friendliness with the services and amenities of a much larger centre. An hour from Kamloops, two-and-a-half hours from the Okanagan, and three hours from the Lower Mainland, Ashcroft boasts one of the best climates in the province, making it the perfect place for outdoor adventures all year round,” said Barbara Roden, Mayor of the Village of Ashcroft. “There's a wide range of sports at our many facilities, as well as dance classes, voice and handbell choirs, live theatre, a vibrant arts scene, and much more, including the Ashcroft HUB with its full-service gym, fitness classes, after-school programs, day camps, and much more. See what makes Ashcroft a town where people come for a short time and stay for a lifetime."   Other Benefits Available to Interior Health Employees Extended Health & Dental Coverage Group Life Insurance, Long Term Disability, Accidental Death & Dismemberment Employee & Family Assistance Program Pension Plan & Retirement Employer Paid Vacation Maternity, Parental and Adoption Leaves Education and In-house learning opportunities Wellness Programs Interior Health is currently recruiting for a variety of positions in Ashcroft including: Community Health Workers, Licensed Practical Nurses; Emergency Nurses, Cleaners, and Medical Radiography Technologists. For more information on available opportunities, please visit our career site.

Spring is here and the warmer weather means more people will be out hiking in tall grass or wooded areas which can also mean an increased chance of getting tick bites. Ticks are small bugs that bite and feed on the blood of humans and animals and can sometimes transmit disease. Fortunately, there are precautions people can take to prevent illnesses that may be transmitted from tick bites. “There are easy things you can do to protect yourself from ticks such as covering up before you head outdoors and checking for ticks when returning from a walk, hike or bike ride,” said Dr. Fatemeh Sabet, Interior Health medical health officer. “Most tick bites do not result in illness; however, any bite from a tick should be cleaned because infection can occur whenever there is a break in the skin.”  Ticks also have toxins that can cause temporary muscle weakness and paralysis if they are attached for several days – especially in children or seniors – but the symptoms fade once the tick is removed from the skin. The signs of many tick-borne infections can be quite similar and include fever, headache, muscle pain and rash.  One of the most important ways to reduce the risk of tick illnesses is to do a skin check on yourself and your children after being outdoors. As well, follow these additional precautions: Walk on cleared trails when in tall grass or wooded areas. Wear a hat, long sleeves, pants and light-coloured clothing. Tuck pant legs into socks or boots. Apply insect repellent containing DEET on uncovered skin. Carefully check clothing and scalp (covered or not) when leaving an area where ticks may live. Regularly check household pets for ticks. If you find a tick on yourself, a family member or pet, wear gloves when removing it and be careful not to crush the tick as this could cause it to inject its stomach contents into your skin. Other tips to remove ticks safely include: Use needle-nose tweezers to gently grasp the tick close to the skin. Without squeezing, pull the tick straight out. After removal, clean the area with soap and water. If you find a tick, check very carefully for others. You can report a tick and submit a photo to eTick.ca to have it identified. Most individuals with acute Lyme disease do not notice the biting tick that precedes the illness. If you have concerns or need assistance removing a tick, please contact your family doctor or visit a walk-in medical clinic. Quick facts: While ticks are common in the Interior Health region, most are the wood tick (Dermacentor andersoni) which do not carry the Lyme disease bacteria. The wood tick can carry other diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, although it is rare. Lyme disease-carrying ticks (I. pacificus) are more common in the coastal areas of B.C. Anyone who has the typical bull’s-eye target skin rash of Lyme disease, or other symptoms compatible with Lyme disease, should see their physician. More information is available at: HealthLink BC: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthlinkbc-files/tick-bites-and-disease   BCCDC Lyme Disease information: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/lyme-disease-borrelia-burgdorferi-infection

Interior Health is adding 17 new positions this spring to continue expanding mental health and substance use supports for people in Kamloops and the surrounding area. “People throughout the Kamloops area will benefit from this major expansion of mental health and substance-use services,” said Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “Our government is transforming mental health and substance-use care in every B.C. community, and building a system of care that did not exist five years ago.” These new positions will support a variety of mental health and substance use programs including early psychosis intervention; substance use connections for youth; youth day treatment; and youth intensive case management. In addition to expanding existing services, Interior Health is introducing new substance use counselling and treatment for young people. “We are committed to strengthening the delivery of primary care, mental health, and substance use services in Kamloops,” said Interior Health president and CEO, Susan Brown. “Expanding these services is a vital part of our response to the toxic drug crisis and further supports the range of mental health and addictions care available in Kamloops.” Planning is underway to bring services already provided throughout the community, including primary care, together under one roof. Consolidating these primary care services with some mental health and substance use programs at IH’s 235 Lansdowne Street location will provide a better experience for patients, clients and care providers. Over time, the mobile supervised consumption vehicle will be decommissioned and its services will transition to this clinic allowing for enhanced connections between clients and care teams. “Research shows the integration of nursing, primary care and substance use treatment programs leads to better health outcomes for people who could benefit from supervised consumption services,” said Interior Health medical health office, Dr. Carol Fenton. The introduction of new and expanded supports, including the relocation of services, will occur over time as renovations and recruitment occurs.   Learn more: To learn more about primary care and mental health and substance use services in Interior Health visit interiorhealth.ca. To learn about the BC Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions vision for a comprehensive mental health and substance use system of care read A Pathway to Hope.