The median wait time for Canadians seeking medically necessary surgery or other therapeutic treatment remains stagnant for the third consecutive year, finds a new study released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank. The study, an annual survey of physicians from across...

REC Dept. over the Holidays During the week of December 21st to 27th, the REC Dept. will be open on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, from 9:00-4:00pm, December 21-23.  The Office will be closed on Thursday, December 24th.  During the second week of the Holidays, the Dept. will be open Monday, December 28th to Thursday, December […]

Should your children play contact sports?   There is new information available to parents about the longer-term health effects  to consider when making decisions about which sports to encourage, and what precautions to take for contact sports. The Mayo Clinic is a well-respected medical research and treatment facility in the US.   A recent Mayo Clinic news […]

The social equation will factor into the recommendation given to the Interior Health Authority board in March when they are called upon to decide the future of laundry services — and 17 fulltime jobs — at Nelson’s Kootenay Lake Hospital, claims the IHA’s new president and chief executive officer. Chris Mazurkewich said Monday...

Now that the WK Community TEETH Clinic has grabbed the lead, it's now time for area residents to bring the challenge home, as well as the $50,000 to prize. West Kootenay Community TEETH Clinic Society is one of five finalists being chosen for a video storytelling campaign. TEETH has been shortlisted for the Pacific Blue Cross...

Environment Minister Mary Polak announced Friday the next steps towards developing a Climate Leadership Plan by spring 2016 during the release of the Climate Leadership Team’s recommendations for the B.C. government’s new Climate Leadership Plan. British Columbia is recognized as a world leader in the fight against climate ...

Marijuana:  Anticipating Changes in Legislation A recent press release from the “Women Grow:  Kootenay Chapter”  says, “Are you interested in cultivating a career in the cannabis industry? Would you like to know more about cannabis and the future of the industry in general? “We invite you to join us on the evening of Thursday, January […]

“Most people will experience at least one diagnostic error in their lifetimes, sometimes with devastating consequences.” This statement is from a recent article in the New England Journal of Medicine.  The article addresses a common problem in North American medical practice:  wrong diagnoses, and inappropriate treatments based on wrong diagnoses. The article is by Dr. […]

A cluster of gastroenterological (GI) illness reported at the Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital on Oct. 13 and 14 were not caused by contaminated water in Castlegar, despite rumours to the contrary. Medical Health Officer Dr. Sue Pollock said IHA received a report from the hospital about a small cluster of patients suffering...

When a patient is facing a stroke, every minute counts. Twenty-four/seven CT coverage and the combined efforts of Kootenay Lake Hospital physicians, staff and Interior Health now mean thrombolytic (clot buster) stroke care is available locally for Nelson and area patients.   “Strokes can have devastating impacts on patients and families but timely access to […]