New board director for Interior Health
Interior Health is pleased to announce the appointment of Patricia (Pat) Dooley to its Board of Directors effective Aug. 31, 2014. “We are very fortunate to be joined by a Director with the heart, drive and focus of Pat Dooley,” said Board Chair Norman Embree. “She is incredibly dedicated to her community and passionate about...
RDCK works to make HB Mine’s tailings pond safe
It is hoped that constant monitoring of the tailings pond at the HB mine site near Salmo, along with a lawsuit designed to bring Teck Mining to the table, will prevent a disaster on the Salmo River similar to the Mount Polley tailings pond collapse earlier this month in the BC Interior. Mount Polley Mine’s earth dam collapsed...
Smoky sky advisory issued for region as fires blaze on
Forest fire smoke in the area has caused the Ministry of Environment to issue a smoky skies advisory for Thompson, Shuswap, Okanagan, Similkameen, Nicola, Boundary and Fraser Canyon regions. According to the Ministry, smoke concentrations can vary depending on the winds, fire behaviour and temperature fluctuations. They...
Staff shortage means truncated hours for Castlegar health centre lab
The following is a press release issued by Interior Health: Due to temporary limited staffing availability, the Castlegar and District Health Centre lab will close an hour early next week. Out-patient (drop-in) lab services will be available from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Aug. 11 to 14. Alternate out-patient laboratory services...
Help is just a phone call away with new Surveillance Nurses
Six months into the new Surveillance Nurse program within Interior Health, remote telephone checks are having a positive influence and helping independent seniors stay at home longer. “This program is a great example of a simple idea that has a big impact,” said Sharon Whitby, Home Health Practice Lead for Interior Health....
California-grown fresh fruit on "class one" recall list
The brand "Sweet 2 Eat" fresh, whole fruit is being recalled in Canada due to a concern of Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The fruit varieties include peaches, plums, nectarins and pluats and are being pulled off of supermarket shelves. Consumers should look for the brands Wawona, Sweet 2 Eat or Harvest Sweet. Each...
No campfire ban, at this time, for the Southeast Fire Centre
Despite a large number of inquiries the Southeast Fire Centre will not be issuing a campfire prohibition at this time. However, staff will continue to evaluate the situation on a daily basis. Jordan Turner, Fire Information Officer, said sometimes it is necessary to implement campfire prohibitions to reduce the risk of...
Interior Health CEO, Dr. Halpenny, makes house call to Kootenay Lake Hospital
Dr. Robert Halpenny, CEO of Interior Health, made a house call Tuesday for a routine check-up at Kootenay Lake Hospital in Nelson. “It’s really important that we understand community issues, “ said Halpenny, president and CEO of IH in Kelowna since 2010 . He was on an annual tour of Interior Health facilities in the region....
COMMENT: Palliative Care
Canada has an aging population and, as a result, will face many challenges. While we have been engaged with some of the items affected at the federal level, there is a vacuum for government initiatives related to end of life care, which is known as palliative care. To be clear, a person doesn’t have to be elderly to benefit...
Farmers' market liquor sales support B.C. products
Beer, wine, cider and spirits can be sampled and sold alongside fresh fruits and veggies at B.C. farmers’ markets, as a new batch of Liquor Policy Review changes take effect. “Having local liquor manufacturers at B.C. farmers’ markets will offer shoppers a convenient opportunity to taste-test and purchase local liquor products, and at the same […]
