Latest news with #InteriorHealth
Global News
7 hours ago
- Health
- Global News
New measles cases detected in B.C.'s Interior, including airports
British Columbia's Interior Health (IH) has confirmed additional cases of measles in the Interior region. The cases have been identified in Kamloops, Kelowna, Salmon Arm and the Nelson area. IH is directly contacting individuals who may have been exposed as part of routine contact tracing. Anyone who may have been in contact with confirmed cases is urged to monitor for symptoms for up to three weeks after possible exposure. Symptoms typically start with fever, dry cough, runny nose and red eyes, followed by a rash a few days later that usually begins on the face and quickly spreads to the rest of the body. There are currently three active cases in the Interior Health region. There have been five so far this year. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Recent exposure locations: Enderby Splatsin Centre – 5767 Old Vernon Rd., anyone who attended the faith-based gathering on June 7 and 8. Flights June 23: WestJet WS320: Fort St. John Airport (YXJ) to Vancouver Airport (YVR) June 23: WestJet WS332: Vancouver Airport (YVR) to Kelowna Airport (YLW); June 25: WestJet WS3540: Kamloops Airport (YKA) to Calgary Airport (YYC) If you develop symptoms, call 811 for guidance. If you require immediate medical care, visit any health-care facility or clinic. Story continues below advertisement According to IH, the risk of infection is extremely low for individuals who have received two doses of the measles vaccine. People who have never had measles or have not received two doses of the vaccine after 12 months of age are considered at risk. Measles vaccines are available at community health centres and many pharmacies—note that some pharmacies may not vaccinate young children, so calling ahead is advised. If you were born in 1970 or later and haven't had two doses of the vaccine, a booster is recommended, especially within three days of exposure. Certain people — such as pregnant individuals, infants under six months, or those with weakened immune systems — should not receive the vaccine but may be eligible for protective medication. If you think you've been exposed and are not fully protected, are immunocompromised, pregnant, or have a child under one year of age, call 1-855-549-6364 and leave a message. The IH communicable disease team will assess your situation and provide recommendations. Exposure locations, including flights, airports, and BC Ferries, are listed on the BC Centre for Disease Control website and updated regularly.
CTV News
8 hours ago
- Health
- CTV News
Interior Health CEO is out over closure of Kelowna, B.C., pediatric unit
A treatment room in the emergency department at Peter Lougheed hospital is pictured in, Calgary, Alta., Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023. (Jeff McIntosh / The Canadian Press) KELOWNA — The head of British Columbia's Interior Health authority is stepping aside six months early over staff shortages that forced the closure of Kelowna General Hospital's dedicated pediatric unit. The authority says the end of president and CEO Susan Brown's tenure is among 'key actions' taken by the board of directors and other leaders to reopen the pediatric department as soon as possible. Interior Health also says in a statement Friday that four new doctors have signed on to the pediatric department, although it still lacks enough staff to safely reopen the unit, which has been shut since May 26. The health authority says Brown will now focus on supporting the organization ahead of her pending retirement that was announced last spring. Interior Health had said at the time that Brown would stay on as CEO until the end of this year. Chief financial officer Sylvia Weir has been named interim president and CEO. The closure of Kelowna's pediatric ward is part of ongoing hospital staffing shortages that have caused rolling closures of emergency rooms across B.C. The authority has said the closure could last until July 4. The Kelowna hospital 'remains equipped to support any children requiring emergency care although pediatric in-patients will not be admitted at this time,' the Interior Health statement on Friday said. 'In the meantime, we extend gratitude to the pediatricians providing on-call coverage to the emergency department and we thank everyone working at the emergency department for their efforts during this challenging time. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 27, 2025.
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Interior Health CEO is out over closure of Kelowna, B.C., pediatric unit
KELOWNA — The head of British Columbia's Interior Health authority is stepping aside six months early over staff shortages that forced the closure of Kelowna General Hospital's dedicated pediatric unit. The authority says the end of president and CEO Susan Brown's tenure is among "key actions" taken by the board of directors and other leaders to reopen the pediatric department as soon as possible. Interior Health also says in a statement Friday that four new doctors have signed on to the pediatric department, although it still lacks enough staff to safely reopen the unit, which has been shut since May 26. The health authority says Brown will now focus on supporting the organization ahead of her pending retirement that was announced last spring. Interior Health had said at the time that Brown would stay on as CEO until the end of this year. Chief financial officer Sylvia Weir has been named interim president and CEO. The closure of Kelowna's pediatric ward is part of ongoing hospital staffing shortages that have caused rolling closures of emergency rooms across B.C. The authority has said the closure could last until July 4. The Kelowna hospital "remains equipped to support any children requiring emergency care although pediatric in-patients will not be admitted at this time," the Interior Health statement on Friday said. "In the meantime, we extend gratitude to the pediatricians providing on-call coverage to the emergency department and we thank everyone working at the emergency department for their efforts during this challenging time. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 27, 2025. The Canadian Press Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Vancouver Sun
14 hours ago
- Health
- Vancouver Sun
Interior Health CEO steps down following closure of Kelowna's pediatric unit
Interior Health CEO Susan Brown has stepped down following the shutdown of the pediatric ward in May at Kelowna General Hospital because of a shortage of pediatricians. Brown is the second health authority CEO to leave this year after the sudden departure of Fraser Health president and CEO Dr. Victoria Lee. In a statement Friday, Interior Health said it remains committed to reopening the hospital's pediatric in-patient unit 'as soon as possible.' Sylvia Weir, the current chief financial officer and vice-president of corporate services has been appointed interim president and CEO. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Health officials said four new physicians have signed offers to join the department but at this time the hospital does not have enough pediatricians available to safely reopen the 10-bed in-patient unit. The decision was made without public notice from the either the Interior Health Authority or the Ministry of Health. Instead, Kelowna doctors broke the news on the eve of the pending closure. After that, Interior Health confirmed the unit would be out of service from May 26 until the first week of July or longer to preserve pediatric coverage for the neonatal intensive care unit and high-risk deliveries. Interior Health said Friday the medical staff association and Doctors of B.C. have established a joint action committee to develop a solution to the staffing challenges, and said Brown is concluding her tenure ahead of her pending retirement. 'On behalf of the board of directors, I would like to express our sincere appreciation to Susan Brown for her unwavering commitment and service to Interior Health and the health and well-being of the communities we serve during the particularly challenging times of COVID-19 and a global health care worker shortage,' said Dr. Robert Halpenny, Interior Health board chair in a statement Friday. The statement said KGH remains equipped to support any children requiring emergency care although pediatric in-patients will not be admitted at this time. Some will be transferred elsewhere, including to B.C. Children's Hospital in Vancouver. ER Dr. Jeff Eppler told Postmedia last month that he never imagined a disruption of pediatric services of this magnitude and that 'it seems almost surreal.' ticrawford@ With files from Vaughn Palmer
CBC
14 hours ago
- Health
- CBC
Interior Health CEO steps down amid pediatric unit closure at Kelowna General Hospital
The CEO of Interior Health is stepping down amid an extended closure of the pediatric in-patient unit at Kelowna General Hospital (KGH), the regional health authority announced Friday. Service disruptions to the KGH's 10-bed inpatient general pediatrics unit were announced on May 24, with an extended closure of six weeks to begin May 26, due to doctor shortages. CEO Susan Brown had announced her plans to retire last spring, but will be leaving in advance of her pending retirement, Interior Health said in a news release. Her resignation is part of "several key actions" taken by the board of directors, the senior executive team and KGH medical leadership to reopen the pediatric unit as soon as possible, according to Interior Health. The health authority said it will continue to work with the medical staff association and Doctors of B.C. through an established joint action committee to address the staffing challenges and "stabilize services," and will appoint a third-party facilitator to make recommendations to the board. Interior Health said Sylvia Weir, the current chief financial officer and vice president of corporate services, will be stepping in as the interim president and CEO of the government agency.
