Merritt and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at Nicola Valley Hospital.

Emergency services will be unavailable from 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 20 to 8 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. Patients can access care at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops during this time.

All other inpatient services will continue as normal at Nicola Valley Hospital.

With the holidays upon us, many of us look forward to spending time with family and friends. Holidays are special, and can mean more visits and gatherings, as well as activities and outings.

But for someone with dementia or cognitive impairment, large groups, noises and flashing lights, and unfamiliar places and people, can cause increased anxiety and feelings of overwhelm.

Name:  Loreen Jacobson (she/her/hers)
Job Title: Registered Nurse
Years of Service:  45
Worksite: Home Health, Royal Inland Hospital 
Community:  Merritt
Ancestral Territory: Nlaka'pamux Nation
Favourite Quote / Advice to live by: Always follow your intuition!

With New Year’s around the corner, many of us turn our thoughts to resolutions. January 1 can be a springboard for a fresh start, new habits and big goals.

From building upon important work, to strengthening relationships with Indigenous partners, to making strides to provide the healthiest start possible for our tiniest patients, there is a lot to celebrate from 2024.

Please see the attached document to learn more about the looks, contaminations, and risks associated with the current drug alerts.

Please see the attached document to learn more about the looks, contaminations, and risks associated with the current drug alerts.

Name: Jacqueline Lee (JQ) Elsasser (she/her/hers)
Job Title: Health Unit Aide / Admin Support / Qualitative FIT Tester
Years of Service: 1+
Worksite: Kirschner Plaza
Community:  Kelowna 
Ancestral Territory: syilx/Okanagan Nation

People living in Kamloops and surrounding communities will benefit from more access to team-based care with the opening of the new North Shore Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC).

While winter is full of festive days, and indoor and outdoor activities to enjoy, winter and the holidays can also bring stress and the blues.

From holiday planning and family gatherings to financial worries, from the gloomy weather and shorter days, this time of year can affect our mental health, physical health and overall well-being. 

Our Mental Health and Substance Use team has 10 healthy habits for you to consider exploring this season. Try one or try a few of these habits to support your mental and physical health throughout winter and beyond.