People throughout the Interior are reminded to stay safe from the impacts of poor air quality due to wildfire smoke in the region. The Province of British Columbia has issued air quality warnings for multiple areas across Interior Health.
New Denver and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at Slocan Community Health Centre.
Emergency services will be unavailable now until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025. Patients can access care at Arrow Lakes Hospital in Nakusp during this time.
Emergency services are expected to resume as scheduled at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025.
Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued an updated heat warning for the Boundary, South and North Thompson and Fraser Canyon areas in the Interior Health and Fraser Health regions from Sept. 2 to Sept. 5, 2025. View the map of the heat warning area here.
Oliver and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at South Okanagan General Hospital.
Emergency services will be unavailable from 1 p.m. on Sept. 1 to 7 a.m. on Sept. 2, 2025. Patients can access emergency care at Penticton Regional Hospital in Penticton during this time.
All other inpatient services will continue at South Okanagan General Hospital.
Please see the attached document to learn more about the look, contamination, and risk associated with the current drug alert.
Guest post by Alison Houweling, harm reduction coordinator with Interior Health
With International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) here, I think about the concept of stigma. Stigma is a hot button topic and honestly, I think some people are tired of hearing the word. But it is one of the most significant barriers to people getting help.
Clearwater and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital.
Please see the attached document to learn more about the look, contamination, and risk associated with the current drug alert.
Name: Kimberly Ramier (she/her/hers)
Job Title: Registered Nurse, Certified Practice – Opioid Use Disorder (CP OUD)
Length of Service: 11
Worksite: Williams Lake Mental Health & Substance Use
Community: Williams Lake
Ancestral Territory: Secwepemc and Tsilqhot'in Nations
Did you know that Interior Health offers dozens of mental health and substance use services? Whether you need short-term treatments or longer term therapies, help in your community or at a dedicated facility, in-person or virtual, our services are confidential and safe, and free of judgment and stigma.