IH responds to long cataract surgery wait in West Kootenay
By Suzy Hamilton, The Nelson Daily When Nelson resident Mary Ann McClelland heard she was going to have to wait a year for her double cataract surgery here she decided to go public. “The whole point wasn’t just for me,” said the 71-year-old senior. “There’s been a flurry of activity because of my story and that’s what I wanted...
Teck reports zinc release into Columbia
The following press release was issued by Richard Deane on the afternoon of Dec. 24: Teck Trail Operations is reporting an incident that resulted in a zinc release to an outfall to the Columbia River on Dec. 22. Based on an initial assessment, the release does not create any health or safety risk to people, fish or wildlife...
Teck Trail GM speaks to health concerns in Trail and Northport
Dear Editor, For over 100 years Trail Operations has operated as a world class refinery and smelter in the West Kootenays of British Columbia. Our facility refines and recycles everything from metal concentrates to used batteries into metals and fertilizers that we all rely on. Over our 100-year history we have grown in...
New program offering Aboriginal people throughout the region very valuable C.O.I.N.S.
There's a new and exciting resource available to Aboriginal people throughout the region, according to Kris Taks, executive director of the Circle of Indigenous Nations Society “The Circle of Indigenous Nations Society (C.O.I.N.S) formed in September 2012 and formally registered as a non-profit society in March 2013,” Taks ...
Charities get green light from government to auction liquor
Non-profits and charities have a new way to raise money for causes that benefit society, as the B.C. government relaxes the rules around auctioning liquor. Following through on an earlier commitment, the B.C. government is allowing privately-donated liquor, such as a vintage bottle of wine or a rare bottle of scotch from an...
No time like the present to get a flu shot
There were cars and people filling the parking lot of the Prestige Inn Lakeside Resort Wednesday. The beehive of activity wasn't because of a convention but the first flu shot clinic of the season as close to 1,000 people were expected to roll up the shirt sleeve and get poked by an Interior Health nurse. IHA staff said there...
Liquor review creates lots of interest
Liquor, or changes to government regulations, definitely was a hot-button topic for the BC public as more than 76,255 people logged into the Liquor Policy Review website to voice their opinions. Parliamentary Secretary John Yap said the consultation process saw an nprecedented level of engagement with the public, stakeholders...
Grand Forks has new hospital heliport
Landing on dirt and grass is no longer necessary for helicopters when they land at the Grand Forks hospital. The Boundary Hospital officially opened it’s Heliport on Monday, to a small crowd of local stakeholders and onlookers. “Paramedics are already happy they don’t have to push through the dirt,” said Ingrid Hampf, Acute...
IH launches 'Healthy from the Start' for pregnancy care
Healthy From The Start is a one-stop shop that connects pregnant women with appropriate services in the community to support a healthy pregnancy. Information and resources are available on a variety of subjects including accessing prenatal care, when to seek medical care, mental health, relationships, breastfeeding, parenting...
24/7 Emergency-room service fails in Kaslo
By Suzy Hamilton, The Nelson Daily It’s back to square one for Kaslo residents who have been working a year to keep their health centre emergency room open seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Speculations were confirmed Wednesday by Interior Health’s update that the Victorian Community Health Centre will soon reduce its emergency...