Latest news with #InteriorHealth
CBC
4 hours ago
- Climate
- CBC
Heat warnings in effect throughout B.C. Interior
Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued heat warnings for a good chunk of B.C.'s Interior this week, as temperatures soar into the mid-to-high thirties. Forecasters say the temperature could reach as high as 38 C in some areas, including the Okanagan Valley, Fraser Canyon, South Thompson, Boundary and West Kootenay regions. The northeastern part of the province could see temperatures as high as 32 C, while the North Thompson, Prince George, 100 Mile, Stuart-Nechako, North Columbia, Kinbasket and Cariboo are looking at temperatures of up to 34 C, Environment Canada says. Wildfire smoke is also expected to impact the South Thompson and Fraser Canyon for the next 24 to 48 hours, and a special air quality statement has been issued for those regions. Environment Canada said temperatures will remain high until Thursday, and are expected to fall toward more normal seasonal values by Friday. The forecaster is reminding British Columbians of the effect heat has on everyone, but in particular, on those at risk during heat events. That includes seniors, people with pre-existing health conditions, those with limited mobility, as well as people who live alone. It is advising people in heat-affected areas to take precautions to avoid heat-related illness. Corinne Dolman, manager of housing and outreach for Interior Health, said people who are homeless are particularly vulnerable to heat because they don't have access to air-conditioning or fresh or clean water. "It's important that people stay cool," she said. "It can become quite serious. People can even die from heat-related illnesses." Dolman said her team of outreach workers fills backpacks full of water to hand out as they canvas the streets for folks in need of assistance. Storm watch Meanwhile, Environment Canada says severe thunderstorms are likely through many areas of central and northern B.C., including the Bulkley Valley, Cassiar Mountains, Dease Lake, Lakes District, Muncho Lake Park-Stone Mountain Park, Watson Lake and Williston areas. The forecaster says the storm could produce strong wind gusts, large hail and heavy rain. It is reminding people to seek shelter indoors when they hear thunder, as lightning can be dangerous.
CTV News
6 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Counterfeit ‘dillies' with fentanyl analog circulating in Kamloops, B.C. officials warn
Health officials have issued a warning about counterfeit hydromorphone tablets circulating in the Kamloops, B.C., area that pose a high risk of overdose. The counterfeits contain unknown quantities of a fentanyl analog called N-propionyl para-fluoronorfentanyl, Interior Health said in a public alert Thursday. 'It does not contain hydromorphone,' the health authority warned. 'Be aware of risk of fakes, if not purchasing from a pharmacy.' Officials also released images of the counterfeit tablets, and urged anyone with similar-looking drugs to get them tested before using them. The drugs are sometimes being sold as Dilaudid, a brand name for hydromorphone, and its street name 'dillies,' Interior Health said.
Hamilton Spectator
16-07-2025
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
B.C. health minister praises U.S. recruitment, says 780 applications in 2 months
VANCOUVER - British Columbia's health minister says the province has received almost 780 job applications from qualified American health professionals as part of its recruitment campaign. Josie Osborne says more than 2,250 doctors, nurses and other health professionals have signed up for webinars and expressed interest in working in B.C. since March. Bylaw changes implemented by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of B.C. this month mean U.S.-trained doctors can become fully licensed in B.C., without further assessment if they hold certifications from various American medical boards. Osborne says that means Canadian doctors trained in the U.S. can 'come home' and the path also becomes easier for American physicians. The minister says the college is also considering more changes that would give internationally trained physicians a pathway to practise, if they completed a minimum of two years of postgraduate training in family medicine in the United States, Australia, United Kingdom or Ireland. It would also make it simpler if they have completed postgraduate training and certification in certain specialties from Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, the U.K. or Ireland. A statement from the Health Ministry says of the 780 job applications received between May and June, 181 are for Interior Health, 154 for Fraser Health and 121 for Vancouver Coastal Health. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 16, 2025 Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Winnipeg Free Press
16-07-2025
- Health
- Winnipeg Free Press
B.C. health minister praises U.S. recruitment, says 780 applications in 2 months
VANCOUVER – British Columbia's health minister says the province has received almost 780 job applications from qualified American health professionals as part of its recruitment campaign. Josie Osborne says more than 2,250 doctors, nurses and other health professionals have signed up for webinars and expressed interest in working in B.C. since March. Bylaw changes implemented by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of B.C. this month mean U.S.-trained doctors can become fully licensed in B.C., without further assessment if they hold certifications from various American medical boards. Osborne says that means Canadian doctors trained in the U.S. can 'come home' and the path also becomes easier for American physicians. The minister says the college is also considering more changes that would give internationally trained physicians a pathway to practise, if they completed a minimum of two years of postgraduate training in family medicine in the United States, Australia, United Kingdom or Ireland. It would also make it simpler if they have completed postgraduate training and certification in certain specialties from Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, the U.K. or Ireland. Wednesdays Columnist Jen Zoratti looks at what's next in arts, life and pop culture. A statement from the Health Ministry says of the 780 job applications received between May and June, 181 are for Interior Health, 154 for Fraser Health and 121 for Vancouver Coastal Health. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 16, 2025
CBC
13-07-2025
- Health
- CBC
Some pediatric services to resume at Kelowna General Hospital after 6-week closure of unit
Social Sharing Some pediatric services will resume at Kelowna General Hospital (KGH) on Sunday, six weeks after the inpatient general pediatrics unit closed due to a doctor shortage. The closure first began on May 26 at the 10-bed inpatient unit, prompting a group of pediatricians to come forward and say there were poor working conditions and a lack of communication at the hospital. Physicians and the Opposition B.C. Conservative Party were sharply critical of the province and the Interior Health Authority, and the authority's CEO stepped down a few weeks after the closure was announced. This week, Interior Health said elective pediatric surgeries and some diagnostic procedures for children would resume at the hospital. The unit will also begin admitting patients to the pediatric unit during daytime hours. Dr. Mark Masterson, the vice-president of medicine for Interior Health, said the authority would be phasing in services in a way that would be safe for patients and sustainable for doctors. "We have a schedule now with consistent coverage during the days, and that's allowed us to change," he told Chris Walker, host of CBC's Daybreak South, on Friday. "We've been able to accomplish this both with the pediatricians in the community who have been [serving on locums] over time ... as well as the pediatricians who've been working at KGH in a full time and permanent capacity." WATCH | Interior Health CEO resigns: Interior Health CEO steps down amid Kelowna pediatric unit closure 16 days ago Duration 3:30 Interior Health CEO Susan Brown is stepping down months ahead of her scheduled retirement, amid an ongoing closure of the Kelowna General Hospital's pediatric unit and calls for her resignation. Brady Strachan has the details. Masterson said that the authority would have four new doctors join KGH over the summer and fall, and two of them would be arriving earlier than expected. The doctor acknowledged that some patients would still need to be transferred to other hospitals within Interior Health, or to B.C. Children's Hospital in Vancouver, if it is deemed medically necessary. Interior Health said that, to date, 22 patients were transferred to other hospitals in the region, and seven were taken to B.C. Children's Hospital. However, the health authority says it expects the number of pediatric transfers to decrease as it resumes services at KGH. During the six-week closure, critical care services for children, including the emergency department and neonatal intensive care unit, remained open. Only general admissions were affected, according to Interior Health. Concerns over workload Earlier in June, Dr. Alysha MacKenzie-Feder told CBC News she and six other pediatricians left the hospital in 2023 because of years of unmanageable caseloads. "It's not that there is a shortage of physicians, it's that the system doesn't exist for them to work safely and sustainably," Mackenzie-Feder said previously. In response to the physician's concerns, Masterson said he acknowledged their frustration, and said the authority was making changes to ensure doctors' voices would be heard. "Over the last while, we have been working very closely with the pediatricians on what we've been referring to as splitting the service," he said. "And so working to have enough staff available at any given time so that there are two pediatricians available to the site." The doctor also said the authority was planning to bring in associate physicians this summer, after licensing changes to allow them to practice in B.C. under the supervision of a senior physician. "This is going to be an ongoing process, and we're going to continue to work on building and improving clinical services, not just in pediatrics, but in the other departments and not just at KGH," he said.
