iPads help caregivers connect with family members during COVID-19

3 minutes

The onset of COVID-19 brought many changes to family caregivers and service delivery. Many services shifted to online and virtual support, leaving some caregivers struggling to access this new platform due to lack of technology. 

Recognizing this need, the Caregivers Network for East Kootenay Seniors, an agency partially funded by Interior Health, purchased 27 iPads. They delivered these iPads, along with cases and Apple pens, to clients in need throughout the East Kootenay.

Natural Disaster Champions: Quick response to 2021 Kamloops fire

2 minutes

The Juniper Ridge neighbourhood of Kamloops when it caught fire in 2021

Canada Day is often celebrated around Canada with fireworks. In 2021, Mother Nature provided a light show in the form of a lightning storm for those living in the Juniper Ridge and Valleyview neighbourhoods of Kamloops.

A wooded area below the ridge appeared to have ignited from the lightning and fire quickly spread towards homes in Valleyview, leading to tactical evacuations of homes under threat and Kamloops Fire Rescue calling out every available firefighter to work.

Clearwater ED closed overnight tonight May 25

1 minute

Clearwater and area residents are advised of a temporary change to the emergency department hours at Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital tonight due to unforeseen limited staffing availability.

The emergency department will be closed:

  • 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 25 to 7 a.m. Thursday, May 26

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:

Entire Interior Health region benefits from heart monitor upgrade

2 minutes

Interior Health (IH) is upgrading heart monitors across the region, improving patient access to important diagnostic testing, and enhancing timely access for physicians and nurse practitioners to these reports.

A heart (or Holter) monitor is a diagnostic test that monitors cardiac rhythms via continuous electrocardiogram (ECG) tracing over 24 hours or more. This service is offered at 31 sites across IH.

Importance of early intervention for children with hearing loss

4 minutes

Émilie Paquin (pictured above) is a Grade 8 student from Revelstoke. She loves to ski, mountain bike, swim, rock climb, and play volleyball and soccer.

“I can do all of these things – even as a deaf person,” she says, adding that her electronic hearing devices (cochlear implants) have given her “superpowers” that allow her to listen to music without anyone knowing, and even mute her brother when he’s bugging her. She also speaks three languages – English, sign, and French, the latter a result of her parents hailing from Quebec.