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

The emergency department will be closed:

• 6 p.m. Saturday, April 16 to 7 a.m. Sunday, April 17
• 6 p.m. Monday, April 18 to 7 a.m. Tuesday, April 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:

Microbiology and PCR staff posing with Dr. Bonnie Henry shirts outside of the lab in front of KGH
 

Our social media platforms are a great way to engage with our Interior Health community and share information. Check out these recent posts, and consider sharing them with your friends and family on your own social channels. 

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On April 14, 2016, the increasing number of opioid overdoses prompted the Province to declare a public health emergency. Six years later, close to 1,500* family members, friends, coworkers, teammates, neighbours and friends have been lost to overdose within the Interior Health region alone.

A Canada goose in Kamloops has selected a fitting place to lay her eggs this spring – under the windowsill of the labour and delivery unit at Royal Inland Hospital.

And her decision has brought joy to the hearts of labour and delivery staff, who are keeping close watch via a baby monitor at the nursing station. Pictured above from left to right, labour and delivery nurses Talia Ollek, Janelle Manderson and Monica Manderson showcase the monitor.

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.  

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

On April 14, 2016, the increasing number of opioid overdoses prompted the Province to declare a public health emergency. Six years later, close to 1,500 family members, friends, coworkers, teammates, neighbours and friends have been lost to overdose within the Interior Health (IH) region alone.

Inspired by the International Black Balloon Day, on April 14 IH’s mental health and substance use teams and community partners will display black balloons in recognition of this sombre anniversary.

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.”

Name: Patti Ironstand (she/her/hers)
Job Title: Registered Psychiatric Nurse
Years of Service: 11
Worksite: Gillis House
Community: Merritt
Ancestral Territory: Nlaka’pamux and Syilx Nations
Advice to live by: Give to people what you would like to receive.