June overdose death numbers show increase
Updated statistics from the BC Coroners Service show the number of illicit drug overdose deaths among B.C. residents has increased. The total number of overdose deaths for June 2016 was 56, an increase from 43 in May 2016. A total of 371 overdose deaths have been reported from January to June 2016. The most recent fentanyl-related...
Province expands Tele-Mental Health to Cranbrook
Children and teens with mental-health challenges can now more easily access the specialized supports they need, thanks to the expansion of Tele-Mental Health videoconferencing services to Cranbrook. “Tele-Mental Health allows young people to connect directly with a psychiatrist – in real time – without having to leave their...
Think FAST – Province supports stroke awareness
Stroke is a serious medical emergency, and recognizing the signs and taking immediate action is crucial. To help create awareness around this, the Province has contributed $600,000 to the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s FAST awareness campaign, Health Minister Terry Lake announced today. The national campaign encourages Canadians...
Overdose response measures roll out in emergency departments
Interior Health has begun implementing measures in emergency departments to improve overdose surveillance and arm those at risk with naloxone, a life-saving drug that can reduce the risk of brain damage or death, from future opioid overdoses. Emergency departments in Castlegar, Kamloops, Kaslo, Kelowna, Nakusp, New Denver...
Legislation comes into force to regulate e-cigarettes
New laws around the sale, promotion and use of e-cigarettes will come into effect on Sept. 1, 2016. The Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act is designed to protect youth from the unknown effects of e-cigarette vapour and from becoming addicted to nicotine, which is why it will treat e-cigarette use exactly the same as...
Ministerial statement on medical assistance in dying
Health Minister Terry Lake and Attorney General Suzanne Anton released the following statement yesterday on medical assistance in dying: "As of June 6, 2016, assisted dying is no longer illegal in Canada and the requirement for court approval has been removed. As laid out in the Supreme Court of Canada's February 2015 ruling,...
TIME CHANGE NEGOTIATIONS BEGINNING
Tired of afternoons as dark as night in the fall, after the onset of Standard Time? Weary of having to force your body to adjust to a new time regime twice a year? There's hope on the horizon: the BC Chamber of Commerce passed a resolution at its AGM on May 31 to ask the BC government to work with other provincial and state...
High School Students Can Win Cash to Attend Selkirk College in Exam Competition
Exam Competition Could Mean Cash Toward Selkirk College Education It’s not every day that a student can make money taking a test. But later this month, high school students from around the region have a chance to earn funds to help them attend Selkirk College, in an annual competition. The Selkirk College Scholarship High ...
Patient voice at heart of website changes
Interior Health is looking for ways to make the final days in people's lives as calm as can be possible. During Tuesday Interior Health Board meeting in Kelowna, a presenation highlighted improvements to help people find resources when they need them most. The changes include revamped web pages and a new resource guide for ...
Health care spending could consume almost 50 per cent of provincial budgets by 2030
Provincial government spending on health care is projected to increase significantly over the next two decades triggering higher taxes, larger deficits, and/or reduced spending on other services, finds a new study released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank. The study,...
