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Dr. Robert Halpenny has been appointed chair of Interior Health's board of directors, succeeding Dr. Doug Cochrane after his passing earlier this month. "Dr. Halpenny brings with him a wealth of experience and knowledge in his career, which includes an extensive history of working with B.C.'s health authorities," said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. "He was instrumental in delivering the tertiary cardiac program to Interior Health, as well as the provision of helicopter services to meet the needs of patients in the region. Dr. Halpenny brings strong leadership qualities to the Interior Health board." Halpenny will serve as Interior Health board chair until the end of 2026. Since 2015, he has been the chair of the Medical Services Commission, which oversees adherence to the Canada Health Act and Medicare Protection Act. He also was government representative with the commission from 2005-16. For eight years, Halpenny worked as a family physician in Vancouver. His career as a health administrator spans more than 30 years, which included health-care societies in Vancouver, a hospital in Colorado, time at Fraser Health and the Provincial Health Services Authority, and eight years at Interior Health, where he served as senior medical director and for five years as president and CEO. Additionally, William Michael Gerrand and Bonnie Charlene Anne Pearson have been appointed to the board for a one-year term, ending Feb. 28, 2025. Gerrand is a principal with the accounting firm Grant Thornton LLP. Pearson is a labour leader with experience in the health-care sector. "The addition of the new board members will bring a depth of knowledge and community experience, from both public and private sectors, and I look forward to our continued work together," Dix said. A health authority board of directors helps ensure British Columbians receive the best care in an efficient, well-managed public health-care system. Boards are responsible for the governance and management of health services in the province. They work with health authority leadership to establish the organization's overall vision and ensure there is appropriate community consultation. Boards also regularly review the organization's long-term plans, look at significant issues affecting the organization and evaluate results. Learn more: Learn more about Interior Health's board of directors. To read the statement on the passing of Dr. Doug Cochrane, visit:https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2024HLTH0022-000234

Nakusp and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at Arrow Lakes Hospital due to limited nursing availability.  Emergency services will be unavailable from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb 26. Patients can access care at Kootenay Lake Hospital during this time.  All other inpatient services will continue as normal at Arrow Lakes Hospital. People in the community who need life-threatening emergency care (i.e., chest pains, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding) should always call 911 for transport to the nearest available and appropriate facility.  Anyone unsure whether an emergency room visit is warranted can call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1, or visit www.HealthLinkBC.ca for non-emergency health information from nurses, dietitians and pharmacists 24 hours a day, seven days per week.

100 Mile House and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at 100 Mile District General Hospital due to limited nursing availability. Emergency services will be unavailable from 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb 24 to 7 a.m. on Sunday, Feb 25. Patients can access care at Cariboo Memorial Hospital during this time. During this time, all other inpatient services will continue as normal at 100 Mile District General Hospital. People in the community who need life-threatening emergency care (i.e., chest pains, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding) should always call 911 for transport to the nearest available and appropriate facility.  Anyone unsure whether an emergency room visit is warranted can call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1, or visit www.HealthLinkBC.ca for non-emergency health information from nurses, dietitians and pharmacists 24 hours a day, seven days per week.  The emergency department in 100 Mile House is normally open 24/7.

New Denver and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at Slocan Community Health Centre due to limited nursing availability. From 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, emergency services will be unavailable and patients can access care at Arrow Lakes Hospital at 97 - 1st Ave NE, Nakusp. People in the community who need life-threatening emergency care (i.e., chest pains, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding) should always call 911 for transport to the nearest available and appropriate facility.  Anyone unsure whether an emergency room visit is warranted can call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1, or visit www.HealthLinkBC.ca for non-emergency health information from nurses, dietitians and pharmacists 24 hours a day, seven days per week.  The emergency department in New Denver is normally open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week while Interior Health continues to recruit to fill positions to return to 24/7 operations.

Please see the attached document to learn more about the look, contamination, and risk associated with the current drug alert.

Please see the attached document to learn more about the look, contamination, and risk associated with the current drug alert.

Merritt and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at Nicola Valley Hospital due to limited physician availability. Emergency services will be unavailable 8 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 12 to 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 13. Patients can access care at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops during this time. During this time, all other inpatient services will continue as normal at Nicola Valley Hospital. People in the community who need life-threatening emergency care (i.e., chest pains, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding) should always call 911 for transport to the nearest available and appropriate facility.  Anyone unsure whether an emergency room visit is warranted can call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1, or visit www.HealthLinkBC.ca for non-emergency health information from nurses, dietitians and pharmacists 24 hours a day, seven days per week.  The emergency department in Merritt is normally open 24/7.

Merritt and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at Nicola Valley Hospital due to limited physician availability. Emergency services will be unavailable effective immediately until 8 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 10. Patients can access care at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops during this time. During this time, all other inpatient services will continue as normal at Nicola Valley Hospital. People in the community who need life-threatening emergency care (i.e., chest pains, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding) should always call 911 for transport to the nearest available and appropriate facility.  Anyone unsure whether an emergency room visit is warranted can call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1, or visit www.HealthLinkBC.ca for non-emergency health information from nurses, dietitians and pharmacists 24 hours a day, seven days per week.  The emergency department in Merritt is normally open 24/7.

People are one step closer to accessing enhanced health services as government has approved the business plan for the new BC Cancer centre at Royal Inland Hospital (RIH) in Kamloops. “Approval of the business plan is a critical milestone for this crucial project,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “This state-of-the-art cancer centre will benefit patients in Kamloops and the surrounding area by offering the confidence from knowing that we’re building treatment capacity for now and the future.” The five-storey facility will be built on the Westlands site on the RIH campus. There will be space for radiation treatment, radiation-therapy planning, including a CT Simulator, an outpatient ambulatory-care unit, including 10 exam rooms, and two consultation rooms for radiation-therapy services, an additional MRI suite, and patient arrival and check-in areas. The centre will have three linear accelerator vaults. These heavy, concrete structures contain radiation equipment used for cancer-patient treatment. In collaboration with Indigenous partners, there will also be a sacred space for patients, caregivers and staff, with features to support traditional ceremonies. “This is an exciting step forward in our work to bring new treatment options to this region,” said Dr. Kim Chi, executive vice-president and chief medical officer, BC Cancer. “The new BC Cancer centre in Kamloops will increase our capacity to deliver radiation treatment closer to home for the people of Kamloops and surrounding communities for generations to come.” A new 470-stall parkade will also be constructed as a part of the centre. In addition, upgrades to RIH to expand cancer care have also been approved, which includes updating and expanding the pharmacy, and relocation and expansion of the Community Oncology Network clinic from the eighth floor to the main floor with more space and improved access. Cancer care delivered through the clinic includes oral and intravenous cancer treatment, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy and hormonal therapy. The clinic also provides initial consultation and treatment planning with a medical oncologist, supportive care, followup care and patient education. The procurement process is underway. Construction is expected to begin in 2025 and complete in 2028.  The project budget is approximately $359 million, shared between the provincial government, Interior Health and Thompson Regional Hospital District. The new BC Cancer centre is a part of the 10-year B.C. Cancer Action Plan, which outlines actionable steps to better prevent, detect and treat cancers, delivering improved care for people facing cancer now, while preparing for the growing needs of the future. Quotes: Susan Brown, president and CEO, Interior Health – “Delivering expanded, comprehensive cancer care in Kamloops is one of our top priorities for the upcoming years. Heading into the procurement process, and subsequently, construction, we look forward to engaging with local communities, patients, families and Indigenous partners to ensure the delivery of high-quality, culturally safe cancer care for people across the region.” David Byres, president and CEO, Provincial Health Services Authority – “We are excited to reach this important milestone of the approval of the business plan for the new BC Cancer centre in Kamloops. As we move forward with this project, we will engage with our patients, families, Indigenous partners, staff and physicians to ensure that the new cancer centre is designed to support delivery of high-quality, accessible and culturally safe care.” Sarah Roth, president and chief executive officer, BC Cancer Foundation – “The new BC Cancer Centre in Kamloops is essential to bringing care close to home for our loved ones and the BC Cancer Foundation looks forward to partnering with our generous donors to help make this a world-class facility.” Mike O’Reilly, chair, Thompson Regional Hospital District – “We welcome today’s positive progress update toward building a cancer-care centre in Kamloops, recognizing the need for life-saving cancer treatment closer to home for more than 150,000 residents. Along with the addition of vital cancer-care equipment, a new parkade will address a significant need at Royal Inland Hospital that is felt today by visitors and staff. Our board continues to urgently advocate for these projects on behalf of our residents and we look forward to continued progress and ensuring that this cancer-care centre opens in 2028.” Heidi Coleman, CEO, Royal Inland Hospital Foundation –  “This new comprehensive cancer-care centre marks a significant victory for the Thompson Cariboo Shuswap Health Service Area. At the Royal Inland Hospital Foundation, we regularly encounter grateful patients who express their appreciation for their care, yet often recount the challenges of travelling to Kelowna for radiation and other vital cancer treatments. This shall be no more. Like many, we look forward to seeing the realization of this long-awaited dream.”  Quick Facts: As the population grows and ages, the number of people diagnosed with cancer will increase. The growth in incidence of cancer between 2021 and 2041 is estimated to be 33% in the Kamloops area. In B.C., one in two people will be diagnosed with some form of cancer in their life. Learn More: To learn more about B.C.’s 10-year Cancer Action Plan, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023HLTH0012-000229