Supports to add more frontline Grand Forks health-care workers are now available through the Ministry of Health and Interior Health (IH) to address ongoing critical staffing challenges.

“Grand Forks faces unique challenges to staffing which require community-based solutions and thinking outside the box,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “These incentives are an important step towards bringing best practices from around the province to Grand Forks and stabilizing local health services people in the area expect and deserve.”

As the toxic drug crisis continues, Interior Health in collaboration with local prescribers has implemented a new model to help connect people in the East Kootenay region who have opioid use disorder with opioid agonist treatments (OAT), such as methadone and Suboxone.

There are two upcoming appointment-only immunization pop-up clinics scheduled in West Kelowna on Nov. 23 and 30, where children ages six months to 11 years old and families can receive their COVID-19 and influenza (flu) immunizations. Only one appointment is needed for your family.

Clinic details:

An immunization pop-up clinic is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 20 in Lake Country for residents and people in surrounding communities to receive their COVID-19 and influenza (flu) immunizations without having a booked appointment. The clinic is for all people ages six months and older, and families can get vaccinated together.

Clinic details:

Name: Christine Olmstead (she/her/hers)
Job Title: Operations knowledge coordinator
Years of Service: 15
Worksite: CHSC
Community: Central Okanagan
Ancestral Territory: Central Okanagan
Advice to live by: You cannot control others’ actions; you can only control your own reaction.

Public health officials with Interior Health (IH) remind everyone there is still time to get your influenza vaccine (flu shot) and those six months and older are eligible.

It’s easier than ever to get immunity for your community. Influenza vaccinations are free for everyone in B.C. six months of age or older, to best protect themselves, their loved ones, their communities and the health-care system this fall and winter.

The sound of a harmonica playing Happy Birthday is heard down the hall of the Kamloops Primary Care Clinic, making those around smile. 

It’s Wednesday, which means a Harmonicas for Health (and Happiness) virtual class is taking place. Participants from across Interior Health are receiving a harmonica lesson and being led through guided breathing exercises. Along with an artistic spirit, the participants share another thing in common; they have a lung disease known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which causes obstructed airflow from the lungs. 

Merritt and area residents are advised of a temporary change to emergency department hours at Nicola Valley Hospital due to unexpected limited staff availability.

Starting at 6 p.m. tonight, Nov. 15, to 8 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, emergency services will be unavailable in Merritt and patients can access care at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops or Kelowna General Hospital.

At Interior Health (IH), we’re committed to improving health services and outcomes for all Aboriginal people. Partnerships, such as the one between IH and Métis Nation BC (MNBC), are  crucial to changing our health system and eliminating racism and discrimination.

Interior Health (IH) has a Digital Health (information technology) team committed to continuously adapting, responding and innovating to meet the needs of our population, while also supporting an efficient patient and provider experience.

The Digital Health team ensures resources and technology are used effectively across all geographic service areas. Meet two members of our dedicated digital health team who help make these new innovations possible.