Health

Addictions

Doctors, advocates fear end of safer supply under new B.C. Conservative government

Health Emily Joveski - October 30, 2026

Harm-reduction advocates say they are bracing for a possible increase in overdose deaths and more stress on the health-care system if the incoming B.C. Conservative government follows through on its pledge to end safer supply in the province.

Interior Health issues drug alert for Kootenays

Addictions My Kootenay Now - October 19, 2026

Interior Health has issued a drug alert for the Kootenays, warning of multiple overdoses involving down containing high amounts of fluorofentanyl and medetomidine.

August free of drug-related deaths in Kootenay-Boundary

Addictions My Kootenay Now - October 14, 2026

Nobody died due to toxic drugs in the Kootenay-Boundary in August, according to figures from the BC Coroners Service.

B.C.’s top doctor encourages fall vaccines as province sees early rise in influenza cases

Health Emily Joveski - October 7, 2026

B.C.’s flu season is off to an early start, with influenza cases rising as the province begins its fall vaccination campaign.

Slocan Community Health Centre ER to close temporarily Saturday

Health My Kootenay Now - September 25, 2026

The emergency department at Slocan Community Health Centre will be temporarily closed for 12 hours Saturday.

Paramedics union says B.C. quietly scaling back community care program

Health Emily Joveski - September 16, 2026

B.C.’s paramedics union is raising concerns that the province’s Community Paramedicine program is being scaled back.

Judge finds B.C. policy requiring foreign-trained doctors to work in rural areas is illegal

Health Emily Joveski - September 15, 2026

A B.C. Supreme Court judge has ruled the province cannot require international medical graduates to work in designated communities after completing their residency.

First phase of Trail hospital parking lot upgrades completed

Health My Kootenay Now - September 2, 2026

The first phase of parking lot improvements at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital in Trail have been completed on schedule.

After a respite, Kootenay-Boundary drug deaths spike in June

Addictions My Kootenay Now - August 25, 2026

According to statistics out today from the BC Coroners Service, there were five deaths in the West Kootenay-Boundary in June and two deaths in the East Kootenay.

Downtown Trail blood lab to remain open

Health My Kootenay Now - August 11, 2026

Interior Health says a laboratory in the community health centre in downtown Trail will stay open permanently, reversing a decision of more than a year ago to close it.