Smoky sky advisory issued for region as fires blaze on
Forest fire smoke in the area has caused the Ministry of Environment to issue a smoky skies advisory for Thompson, Shuswap, Okanagan, Similkameen, Nicola, Boundary and Fraser Canyon regions. According to the Ministry, smoke concentrations can vary depending on the winds, fire behaviour and temperature fluctuations. They...
Staff shortage means truncated hours for Castlegar health centre lab
The following is a press release issued by Interior Health: Due to temporary limited staffing availability, the Castlegar and District Health Centre lab will close an hour early next week. Out-patient (drop-in) lab services will be available from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Aug. 11 to 14. Alternate out-patient laboratory services...
Treating 'psychological' imbalances with natural medicine
One of the areas I find responds very well to herbs and homeopathics is the mental and emotional sphere. Because naturopathic medicine is based on the individual as an integral whole, by helping re-balance the mental/emotional aspects of a person, a dramatic difference in the person’s overall physical health is also achieved....
California-grown fresh fruit on "class one" recall list
The brand "Sweet 2 Eat" fresh, whole fruit is being recalled in Canada due to a concern of Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The fruit varieties include peaches, plums, nectarins and pluats and are being pulled off of supermarket shelves. Consumers should look for the brands Wawona, Sweet 2 Eat or Harvest Sweet. Each...
No campfire ban, at this time, for the Southeast Fire Centre
Despite a large number of inquiries the Southeast Fire Centre will not be issuing a campfire prohibition at this time. However, staff will continue to evaluate the situation on a daily basis. Jordan Turner, Fire Information Officer, said sometimes it is necessary to implement campfire prohibitions to reduce the risk of...
Interior Health CEO, Dr. Halpenny, makes house call to Kootenay Lake Hospital
Dr. Robert Halpenny, CEO of Interior Health, made a house call Tuesday for a routine check-up at Kootenay Lake Hospital in Nelson. “It’s really important that we understand community issues, “ said Halpenny, president and CEO of IH in Kelowna since 2010 . He was on an annual tour of Interior Health facilities in the region....
COMMENT: Palliative Care
Canada has an aging population and, as a result, will face many challenges. While we have been engaged with some of the items affected at the federal level, there is a vacuum for government initiatives related to end of life care, which is known as palliative care. To be clear, a person doesn’t have to be elderly to benefit...
Farmers' market liquor sales support B.C. products
Beer, wine, cider and spirits can be sampled and sold alongside fresh fruits and veggies at B.C. farmers’ markets, as a new batch of Liquor Policy Review changes take effect. “Having local liquor manufacturers at B.C. farmers’ markets will offer shoppers a convenient opportunity to taste-test and purchase local liquor products, and at the same […]
Happy Days are Here Again! Kaslo welcomes two full-time physicians
The long search for permanent physicians to staff the Victorian Community Health Centre appears to be over as Interior Health announced in a media release Tuesday the signing of two full-time physicians to the community over the last two weeks. Dr. Isabelle-Anne Fontaine began a regular schedule at Victorian Community Health Centre on June 16. […]
Minimizing Environmental Sensitivities
Since we are just starting to get into the season of cottonwood and increased dust and pollen because we’ve had such a cold and wet May, I thought this would be a good time to discuss minimizing the effects of allergens. The most common symptoms of environmental allergens are: itchy/watery eyes, runny/irritated nose, sneezing,...
