Vernon to see increased seniors care access with 90-bed expansion

3 minutes

Sandra Ohlemann (second from right), who lives in Creekside Landing, participates in a ground-breaking ceremony with (from left) Kevin Svoboda of Creekside Landing; Diane Shendruk, Interior Health VP of Clinical Operation North; Mable Elmore, Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors and Long-Term Care; and, Vernon Monashee MLA Harwinder Sandhu.

Laboratory service changes for Clinton and Ashcroft

1 minute

Residents in Clinton and Ashcroft are advised of laboratory service changes in their communities.

To reduce travel for Clinton residents, the Clinton Health Centre is now offering blood collection services on Wednesdays from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. with the support of a medical lab assistant from Ashcroft. Walk-ins are available from between 7:30 a.m. and 8 a.m. and again between noon and 1 p.m.  Booked appointments are available between 8 a.m. and noon.

Interior Health recognizes National Immunization Awareness Week

2 minutes

As we close out National Immunization Awareness Week (April 23 – 30), Interior Health encourages families to stay on track with their immunizations.

“Vaccines have saved more lives in Canada than any other medical intervention in the past 60 to 70 years,” said Dr. Carol Fenton, Interior Health Medical Health Officer. As one example, as late as the 1950s, the polio virus caused paralysis or death in thousands of people, most of them children. Thanks to the polio vaccines, Canada virtually eliminated polio by 1964 with the last case acquired in Canada in 1988.”

Clearwater ED closed overnight April 28-29

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:

  • 4 p.m. Thursday, April 28 to 7 a.m. Friday, April 29

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:

Remembering Peter Jones: a dedicated health-care volunteer

3 minutes

When health-care teams involve people in conversations about their care, patients become partners in care, and care experiences improve. Patient partners are volunteers who support people and their families to access and navigate the health-care system.

At Interior Health, patient partners are valued. Many of our patient partners are also volunteers in our hospitals and health-care centres, and when we lose them, the loss is keenly felt by all.

New 1-800 number to improve access to community care

2 minutes

Interior Health is making it easier for people living in North Okanagan communities to access home and community care and chronic disease management services.

Seniors and others can now easily connect to health-care services in their community seven days per week, 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. by calling 1-800-707-8550.

Communities in the North Okanagan region are the latest to see the new 1-800 number implemented. The central number has been expanding in phases and with this activation, seniors across the entire Interior Health region can now access this number.

Interior Health celebrates National Volunteer Week

2 minutes

During National Volunteer Week (April 24-30, 2022), Interior Health (IH) extends its gratitude to more than 4,800+ IH volunteers across the region.

“Thank you to everyone volunteering with Interior Health across the region,” said Interior Health president and CEO, Susan Brown. “Your warmth, kindness, and compassion provides comfort to people in our care, and it makes a tremendous difference across IH.”