Interior Health

06/03/2026

Medical lab assistants are a key part of patient care, supporting multiple stages of most patients’ journeys.

That’s why we’re pleased to support Selkirk College's new Medical Laboratory Assistant Program. The program was developed in response to the need for more trained professionals in our region, with IH working alongside the college and partners as it came together.

By helping more people train close to home, this program will strengthen local health-care teams and support the care communities count on.

Selkirk College is developing a new Medical Laboratory Assistant Program, supported by more than $400,000 in funding from the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. The program will be delivered at the Trail Campus and responds directly to a critical shortage of medical laboratory assistants across Interior Health (IH) and the province.

Medical laboratory assistants are essential members of the laboratory team—collecting samples, processing specimens, performing routine tests and more. Training local students right here in our region helps build a stable, home-grown workforce for years to come.

The first cohort of 24 students will begin in the 2027/28 academic year. Learn more and join the interest list at selkirk.ca/news/selkirk-college-develops-new-medical-laboratory-assistant-program-provincial-support

City of Trail Government of British Columbia Interior Health

06/02/2026

Attention ❗

We've issued a drug alert for counterfeit tablets being sold as Oxycodene / Percocet containing high amounts of medetomidine ⚠️

Please share to spread the word:https://www.interiorhealth.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/kelowna-drug-alert-june-2-2026.pdf

06/02/2026

As we mark National AccessAbility Week, we're proud of Isla Coombs for representing IH at the CNIB's Connecting the Dots Conference in last week.

As our Business Partner in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Isla joined a panel discussion on inclusive employment, sharing how we're working to create workplaces where people of all abilities feel supported, valued, and able to thrive.

The conference brought together members of the sight loss community, employers, and leaders committed to accessibility, and created space for meaningful conversations about opportunity, leadership, and inclusion.

Isla shared how accessibility work is informed by lived experience through our Accessibility Committee, helping identify barriers and shape practical improvements.

We're proud to be one of B.C.'s first health authorities to publish an Accessibility Plan and provide a feedback channel for staff, patients, and community members to share accessibility barriers and opportunities.

Learn more about accessibility at IH: https://www.interiorhealth.ca/about-ih/accessibility-and-inclusion

06/01/2026

The emergency department at South Okanagan General Hospital in will be closed from 1 p.m. Monday, June 1 until 7 a.m. Tuesday, June 2, 2026.

Patients can access emergency care at Penticton Regional Hospital during this time.

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.

Learn more: [Link here]

05/31/2026

Today, May 31 is . This year’s theme is about raising awareness of the harms of commercial to***co use and the new products and marketing strategies that attempt to get people, particularly youth, to start using.

If you don’t use commercial to***co, there’s no reason to start.

If you do, there are programs available to help you quit: tinyurl.com/37498k7b

05/29/2026

What does it take to help keep patients safe behind the scenes?

For Jonnathan Quintero, it starts with curiosity, compassion and a commitment to learning.

From volunteering with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies at a young age to leading patient safety efforts in biomedical engineering at IH, Jonnathan’s journey has always been rooted in helping others.

Today, Jonnathan’s work focuses on ensuring medical equipment is safe, effective and reliable, an important role that often goes unseen but has a huge impact on patient care.

“Every experience has taught me more about people, systems and the responsibility we carry,” he says. “Taking the time to listen and learn helps me better support our communities and protect the patients who rely on our work.”

His dedication recently earned him national recognition as the Outstanding Canadian Biomedical Engineer, an achievement that highlights not only his expertise, but also his collaborative and compassionate approach.

At IH, people like Jonnathan are making a difference every day, even when you don’t always see it.

▶️ Get to know Jonnathan: https://www.interiorhealth.ca/stories/we-are-ih-biomedical-engineer-recognized-nationally-patient-safety
▶️ Explore careers @ IH:https://jobs.interiorhealth.ca/JobSearch

05/28/2026

The emergency department at Lillooet Hospital and Health Centre in will be closed from 7 a.m. Friday, May 29 until 8 a.m. Saturday, May 30, 2026.

Patients can access emergency care at Royal Inland Hospital during this time.

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.

Learn more: https://www.interiorhealth.ca/media/temporary-service-interruption-lillooet-hospital-emergency-department-may-28-2026

05/28/2026

Starting Kindergarten comes with lots of big milestones ✏️🍎

If you're a parent and your child is due for their 4 - 6 year immunizations, then join us for our Kindergarten Vaccination Fair. Colouring, games, stickers, and friendly faces help make the visit fun for the kids (and parents too)!

📍Kamloops Public Health | 519 Columbia Street
📅 June 12 and 15

Call 250-851-7300 to book an appointment.

Questions about school-age immunizations? Learn more here: https://www.interiorhealth.ca/health-and-wellness/immunization-and-vaccines/about-immunizations/school-age-children-and-youth-immunization

05/26/2026

Interior Health and local partners are working together to improve the stability and reliability of emergency care at 100 Mile District General Hospital (OMH) in .

A task force has been formed, which includes representatives from local government, Indigenous communities, physicians, and regional partners. This newly formed task force will focus on both immediate and long-term solutions to support consistent emergency department care in 100 Mile House.

Current priorities include:
🔹Exploring virtual physician support for the emergency department
🔹Reviewing scheduling options to improve staffing flexibility
🔹Expanding access to same-day primary care in the community
🔹Increasing physician recruitment efforts
🔹Strengthening local recruitment and retention, including housing and relocation assistance

While this work is ongoing, staffing challenges remain, particularly during the busy summer months.

Interior Health and local partners will continue working together to improve staffing stability at OMH and support reliable emergency care for the community. Updates will be shared as this work continues.

https://www.interiorhealth.ca/media/interior-health-working-partners-stabilize-emergency-care-100-mile-district-general-hospital-may-26-2026