Your living situation could change quickly during wildfire season if you’re evacuated, but your need to access health care could remain the same. Consult these resources on how to access health care if you are evacuated.
Important resources
Recovery Resources
- Recover after a wildfire | BC Government
- Home Fires: Before, During & After | Red Cross
- Coping with a natural disaster | Canadian Mental Health Association
Health Resources
- Food safety after a fire
- Fire retardants in source water
- Current public water notifications
- Assessing sewage disposal systems for damage and repair
- Wildfire Smoke | BC Centre for Disease Control
- Wildfires and Your Health | HealthLinkBC
First Nations supports
First Nations clients seeking supports with refilling prescriptions, medical supplies and equipment can contact First Nations Health Benefits at 1-855-550-5454. Visit the First Nations Health Authority Wildfire Response web page for more information.
Accessing medication
Visit any pharmacy and speak to the pharmacist. They can help you access an emergency supply of the medications you may need without needing to see a physician or nurse practitioner. Pharmacists in B.C. are able to prescribe medications for minor ailments and contraception.
Getting lab work done
For locations that have appointment bookings as an option, book your lab test online, or call 1-844-870-4756 Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Pacific Time, Saturday-Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pacific Time, excluding statutory holidays.
If you have your requisition, kindly bring it to your lab appointment, or request your physician to fax it to the Interior Health laboratory of your choice. Please note that existing standing orders can be accessed at any of our locations without a requisition.
Mental Health & Substance Use (MHSU) support
To access support, contact your existing MHSU clinician or 310-MHSU (310-6478).
Home health & seniors care
Call 250-851-7945 (toll-free 1-800-707-8550) to access home health/home support, wound care and IV therapies, diabetes education, and cardiovascular and respiratory care, and nutrition services.
Public health & maternity care
Contact 250-851-7300 (toll-free 1-866-847-4372). Includes nursing and health protection.
Other stories in this series
In the 5 years since the In Plain Sight report was released, we’ve made strides towards being a culturally safe organization—but there’s more work to do.
/stories/ihs-fifth-plain-sight-response-supports-reconciliation
Inspired by her aunt’s career as a pharmacist, Angela became a pharmacy technician to use the hands-on aspect of compounding to benefit patient care.
/stories/we-are-ih-pharmacy-tech-enjoys-problem-solving-patients
Souper Meals brings students together once a week over locally made soup, fresh fruit, veggies and buns, all free of charge.
/stories/more-soup-benefits-universal-school-lunch-program
With decades of experience rooted in compassion and commitment to children’s health, Dr. Jeff Wong is carving a path for pediatric care at Kelowna Hospital.
/stories/dr-jeff-wong-leads-kelowna-pediatric-department-forward
The holidays season offers opportunities to drink alcohol, and it can be easy to overindulge. Get tips on how you can drink less - and live more.
/stories/holiday-spirit-tips-drinking-moderation-season
With the support of her mentors and coworkers, Niomi Wright found her true health-care calling as a care aide at Mountain View Lodge in Lillooet.
/stories/we-are-ih-care-aide-recognizes-value-mentors-and-colleagues
STAY CONNECTED
Receive news, alerts, public service announcements and articles right to your inbox.