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.

Ashcroft and area residents are advised the Ashcroft emergency department will be on diversion for the weekend, due to limited physician availability. There is no emergency department service during the week or overnight on weekends in Ashcroft. Regular emergency department hours are Friday, 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. and Saturday/Sunday 8 a.m. – 8 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 9-1-1. 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.

Clearwater and area residents are advised Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital Emergency Department will be on diversion from 6 p.m. today until 7 a.m. tomorrow, due to limited staffing availability. The emergency department is currently on diversion from: 6 p.m. Friday, July 15 to 7 a.m. Saturday, July 16 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: 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 who use Royal Inland Hospital (RIH) are advised of changes to the way they access the Kamloops hospital, beginning Monday, July 18 with the opening of the Phil & Jennie Gaglardi Tower. The public will now access the main entrance and the emergency department in a new way. Main entrance and patient drop off The new main entrance and patient drop-off area is located at the front doors of the Gaglardi Tower, across from the Clinical Services Building (CSB) parkade. Public parking remains in the CSB parkade and people can walk from Level P4 of the CSB parkade and follow the sidewalk to access the main entrance to RIH. Emergency entrance The new, permanent emergency entrance at RIH is located at the roundabout (near the old coffee shop). There is no longer any emergency parking near the ambulance bay. Short-term public parking for the emergency department is now located on the right side of the drive leading to the roundabout. Signage will be in place to help guide patients. View parking map