Written by Alexis Blueschke, public health dietitian with Interior Health

Food can provoke strong emotions and memories, especially around the holidays. Developing a positive relationship to food can not only help in creating a healthy outlook on life, but also a love for ourselves—all year round. 

I have been on a life-long journey developing a positive relationship with food. One of my key learnings has been the connection to intuitive eating.

Oliver and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at South Okanagan General Hospital due to limited physician availability.

Emergency services will be unavailable from 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9 to 8 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 10. Patients can access care at Penticton Regional Hospital during this time.

Oliver and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at South Okanagan General Hospital due to limited physician availability. 

Emergency services will be unavailable from 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8 to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9. Patients can access care at Penticton Regional Hospital during this time.

Expectant parents and babies in the Central Okanagan will have improved access to services and supports through the new Central Okanagan Maternity Clinic.

“Our priority is to ensure people have access to the primary care services they need, including expectant families,” said Health Minister Adrian Dix. “This new clinic builds on the existing primary care network in the Central Okanagan and will ensure expectant families are connected to the team-based care they need.”

Name: Jennifer Turnbull (she/her/hers)
Job Title: Child Care Licensing Officer 
Years of Service: 16 
Worksite: Kamloops Public Health Unit
Community: Kamloops
Ancestral Territory: Secwépemc

Residents in Kamloops and surrounding areas now have access to improved general X-ray and bone density testing services at the new Northills Centre Medical Imaging clinic at 42-700 Tranquille Rd. Formerly known as the North Shore Radiology Clinic, this upgraded facility offers improved services in a new, convenient location.

Food security is top of mind for many people and communities right now. Over the past three years, the COVID-19 pandemic, heat domes, wildfires, floods, inflation, and the rising costs of food have contributed to food insecurity. While all of these factors have been overwhelming, communities are coming together to prove their resilience and are building stronger relationships in response. 

The Rutland Health Centre has reopened its doors at a new location. Services are now accessible at 285 Aurora Cres, Suite 102 in Kelowna.

Patient and client focused services offered at the new location include:

Clearwater and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital due to limited nursing availability.

From now until 7 p.m. today, emergency services will be unavailable and patients can access emergency care at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops.

During this time, all other inpatient services will continue as normal at Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital.