Media Archive Blog Topic Listing Page

Thanks to the Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital (KBRH) Health Foundation and its generous donors, Interior Health will be able to keep more Kootenay Boundary expectant families facing early deliveries closer to home. A new Tier 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at KBRH, made possible by $745,000 in additional Foundation-funded equipment and the addition of specialized NICU healthcare workers by Interior Health, means KBRH has the capacity to support deliveries and care for babies born after 34 weeks, as well urgent acute care for babies born even earlier with moderate risk. “Families who have babies before full term face additional challenges and stress,” said Susan Brown, president and CEO of Interior Health. "In addition to the equipment from the Foundation, our nurses in Trail stepped up to take the specialized training needed to support this increased service, and we added new positions to the department. This commitment helps provide the best possible outcomes to these families without the burden of travel.” A Tier 3 NICU requires significant equipment upgrades to accommodate the needs of the newborns. Three newly funded isolettes (specialized cribs), monitors and stabilization equipment are available with care provided by neonatal healthcare professionals including a NICU educator and nurses, and allied health professionals. “This is wonderful for families in the Kootenay Boundary,” said Lisa Pasin, executive director of the KBRH Health Foundation. “The new neonatal medical equipment will improve accessibility to a higher level of care for families during what can be a challenging time and will also support specialist services and recruitment for our area.” “The only focus for expectant families should be their new baby,” said Katrine Conroy, MLA for Kootenay West. “This new NICU will reduce the need for long-distance travel for early deliveries and is a great example of bringing the health care people need, closer to home.” The new service will benefit expectant families throughout the entire Kootenay Boundary, reducing the burden of travel and keeping them close to local extended family and supports. “We are thrilled to open our Tier 3 NICU and care for mothers and babies close to home,” said Ian Ferguson, obstetrician, gynecologist and department head of Maternity and Pediatrics at KBRH. “We can now keep patients local and repatriate other patients back home sooner when they otherwise would have had to relocate for care. It has made a huge difference for the families of our region, and everyone is very excited.” “Our pediatrics team is very excited to announce the official opening of the NICU at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital,” said Dr. Brenna Eldridge, pediatrician. “This will provide much needed support for babies born prematurely and newborns who may require extra support, and will allow infants to stay in a supported environment as they recover and grow or await transport. We are immensely grateful to all those who supported this project.”  

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

Williams Lake and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at Cariboo Memorial Hospital due to limited nursing availability. Emergency services will be unavailable effective 6:30 p.m. on Monday, April 29, 2024 until 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. Patients can access care at 100 Mile District General Hospital in 100 Mile House or GR Baker Memorial Hospital in Quesnel, B.C. during this time. All other inpatient services will continue as normal at Cariboo Memorial Hospital. People in the community who need life-threatening emergency care (i.e., chest pains, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding) should always call 9-1-1 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 Cariboo Memorial Hospital is normally open 24 hours a day, seven days a week

Please see the attached document to learn more about the 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.

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

The Vernon Jubilee Hospital (VJH) Foundation and Interior Health are proud to announce the opening of the new Sacred Space at VJH. A sacred space is a faith-neutral area that functions as a spiritual care area, open to patients, families, staff and visitors of VJH. It is a place of peace and tranquility and is always accessible to offer a moment of respite and reflection. “Within these walls, we hope that patient families and friends will find a refuge from the stress and anxiety that can often accompany a hospital experience,” said Susan Brown, Interior Health president and chief executive officer. “We recognize that healing isn't just physical; it's emotional and spiritual too. We hope that anyone who uses this space finds moments of peace and strength." The creation of this sacred space has been a collaborative effort—championed by Interior Health and the VJH Foundation, with inputs from community, spiritual and Indigenous partners. The project also includes a dedicated private office space for spiritual care leads, constructed near the Sacred Space to further enhance spiritual care at VJH. “People will now have access to this sacred space, which will be a haven of peace and calm,” said Harwinder Sandhu, Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors’ Services and Long-Term Care and MLA for Vernon-Monashee. “I am deeply appreciative of the spiritual space and services offered here in the Vernon Jubilee hospital. As a healthcare worker, I have witnessed firsthand the profound impact of spiritual care, this wonderful addition will be a sanctuary for all, providing moments of reflection for families, healthcare workers and patients alike.” The VJH Foundation has been an integral partner in bringing this collaborative vision to reality, contributing $225,000 to the project. “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who helped make this project a reality,” said Kate McBrearty, VJH Foundation executive director. “Through the support of the Hospital Auxiliary, Ulrike and Don Gibbs and our incredible donor community we now have a beautiful, soothing space where diverse cultural, religious, and ethnic communities can find comfort and peace during challenging moments. Designed with the diverse needs of the North Okanagan community in mind, the VJH Sacred Space has a double door for easy patient bed-access and can accommodate different cultural protocols and religious rituals, such as smudging ceremonies and ritual washing. Situated on the fifth floor of the Polson Building, just outside the Inpatient Care Unit, the space is a sanctuary of solace, unity, and healing for everyone receiving care, working, or visiting at VJH.

New Denver and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at Slocan Community Health Centre due to limited nursing availability. Emergency services will be unavailable effective immediately until 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 17. Patients can access care at Arrow Lakes Hospital at 97-1st Ave NE, Nakusp. Emergency services will reopen for regular hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 18. People in the community who need life-threatening emergency care (i.e., chest pains, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding) should always call 9-1-1 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 at Slocan Community Health Centre is normally open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week.

People facing complex mental-health, addiction and housing challenges will benefit from better access to housing with the wraparound supports they need. Two hundred and forty new complex-care housing (CCH) units, as announced in the Province’s Homes for People plan in 2023, are coming to communities in B.C. to provide people with overlapping mental-health challenges, developmental disabilities, addiction issues, trauma, and/or acquired brain injuries the care they need where they live. Two hundred of these units will be in Abbotsford, Burnaby, Kamloops, Kelowna, Nanaimo, New Westminster, Prince George, Sechelt, Surrey, Vancouver and Victoria. The remaining 40 units will be Indigenous-led and the Province is working closely with Indigenous groups to identify partners and priority communities.   “People dealing with serious mental-health, addiction and housing challenges are often left behind,” says Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “Their complex needs can lead to a cycle of evictions, stays in shelters and repeated visits to emergency rooms. We’re supporting more complex-care housing, so more people can get the co-ordinated care they need right in their own homes, and they can live happier and healthier lives in their communities and remain connected to their support networks.” The City of Kelowna has been a strong advocate for complex-care housing and work is underway in the community, where partners are coming together to prepare for next steps. This project will include 20 newly constructed complex-care housing units and at least 20 supportive housing units. The project will soon be going to design phase and engagement with the neighbourhood will commence. Projects in other communities are expected to proceed in the coming months and updates will be provided on each project as they begin to take shape. CCH provides voluntary and person-centred health and social supports under one roof where people live and for as long as they need it. Services are planned and co-ordinated by health-care partners and delivered in partnership with housing operators. In some communities, the new units will be in stand-alone buildings. In others, CCH units may be combined with supportive housing or other affordable housing units. “As a social worker specializing in complex care, my role revolves around providing personalized support to individuals navigating complex challenges,” said Ashley Halston, social worker, Interior Health. “With the introduction of dedicated complex-care units in both Kelowna and Kamloops, our ability to provide patient-focused care is significantly increased, enabling us to address the diverse needs of those we serve with greater effectiveness and compassion.” Launched in 2022, CCH services are already in place for 443 people around the province. CCH is specifically designed for those whose mental-health and addiction issues overlap with significant functional needs or other serious health conditions, such as brain injuries or mobility impairments. Health-care and social support teams work alongside the individual and their support network to develop personalized care plans aimed at maintaining their housing and improving their quality of life. This collaborative, wraparound approach focuses on reducing hospital visits and interactions with law enforcement to support long-term well-being. “Today's announcement is a celebrated and much-needed investment in our community, as we strive to provide dignified and compassionate care and housing for our most vulnerable residents,” said Tom Dyas, mayor of Kelowna. “We are proud to have contributed municipal land for this new site and to have worked closely with government and agency partners on finding solutions for complex challenges of social, health, housing and safety issues. This project will have a significant impact on the health and safety of our community as we continue to grow.” Complex-care housing is a part of the Province’s Safer Communities Action Plan, which is taking action to address the biggest challenges to keep people safe and communities strong. This initiative is supported by Budget 2023, which committed $266 million to fund these services, including $169 million in capital funding to build new homes in the province.    Quotes: Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing – “People who have complex health issues overlapping with housing insecurity challenges are often caught up in a cycle of homelessness. The expansion of complex-care housing throughout the province means more people can access personalized care tailored to their specific needs. Integrated health, social and cultural supports are essential to providing a pathway to secure housing and well-being.” Susan Brown, president and CEO, Interior Health – “In addition to our existing complex-care beds, these 40 new units mark another step forward to better supporting individuals facing complex mental-health, substance use and housing challenges. This expansion emphasizes Interior Health’s dedication to provide integrated care right where people live to enhance the health and well-being for all.” Learn More: To learn more about mental-health and addictions supports in B.C., visit: https://helpstartshere.gov.bc.ca/ To learn more about the Safer Communities Action Plan, visit: https://strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/safer-communities/ To learn more about complex-care housing, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/managing-your-health/mental-health-substance-use/complex-care-housing To learn more about Homes for People plan, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023HOUS0019-000436 For a backgrounder about the communities receiving CCH units, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/BG_CCH_Expansion.pdf Translations ComplexCareExpansion_Chinese(simplified).pdf ComplexCareExpansion_Chinese(traditional).pdf ComplexCareExpansion_Punjabi.pdf Read original release on BC Gov News