Take-home drug test strips another tool to prevent fentanyl overdoses
People in the Interior Health (IH) region have another tool to make safer choices about drug use. For some, the stigma or shame associated with seeking out substance use services can be a barrier to accessing the health system. Now, new take-home drug testing strips are available and offer an alternative to clients who...
Letter: We need patient centred care, province-wide
Dear Editor, As I write this, patients are travelling long distances for consultations with specialists. Many of these journeys, for simple face to face meetings are made even though the required workup has been completed and the results forwarded. BUT - What if you could visit a GP, have the referral and information forwarded...
WHO convenes coronavirus forum next week
In a press release issued today, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced a forum to be held in response to the coronavirus outbreak. “WHO is convening a global research and innovation forum to mobilize international action in response to the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV),” the release began, and reads as follows: "Harnessing...
Seniors Advocate reports on elder-care facilities, finds need for change
A Billion Reasons to Care is the first provincial review of the $1.4 billion-dollar contracted long-term care sector in British Columbia. The review examined industry contracts, annual audited financial statements and detailed reporting on revenue and expenditures for the years 2016/17 and 2017/18. The BC Seniors Advocate ...
First case of coronavirus confirmed in BC
One case of the new coronavirus has been identified in BC. Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s provincial health officer (PHO), have issued the following joint statement regarding a case of a novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV): “Late yesterday, our BC Centre for Disease Control public health lab confirmed...
New research shows more people knowingly use fentanyl, points to importance of comprehensive response to reduce risks
Fentanyl use by people who use drugs in B.C. has doubled since 2015, and two-thirds of people are aware they’ve taken it, finds new research from the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC). The findings point to the importance of taking comprehensive measures to reduce the risk for people who take the powerful opioid knowingly...
Hospital Access Changes (with updated site map)
Here's a message from Interior Health for everyone who needs to go to the Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital: Patients and visitors are advised that the access route to Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital (KBRH) is changing. The walkway that runs around the construction zone will be adjusted effective Nov. 25. Signage will...
50,000 overdoses reversed with naloxone kits in B.C.
More than 50,000 kits containing the life-saving medication naloxone have been used to reverse opioid overdoses in B.C. In total, 175,022 naloxone kits have been reported distributed to people who use drugs and those who are likely to witness an overdose through the BC Centre for Disease Control’s (BCCDC) Take Home Naloxone...
Greta Thunberg: 'How dare you!'
Greta Thunberg’s speech to the UN was transcribed. Here is the full text. For the full effect, though, listen to her speech at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYqtXR8iPlE In response to the question, “What’s your message to world leaders today?” Thunberg responded as follows: Greta Thunberg: “My message is...
Editorial: It’s back-to-school time. Drive much?
It’s time to reflect on our driving habits, and on the facts cited below – especially for the safety of everyone’s children. According to the Canadian Paediatric Society, motor vehicle incidents are the leading cause of unintentional injury and death in Canada for children from 1 year old to 19 years old. The BC Injury...
