With the resumption of non-urgent scheduled surgeries on May 18th, the surgery renewal announced by the Minister of Health on May 7th is well underway in Northern Health. Postponing surgeries in March was necessary to ensure hospitals had the capacity to respond to COVID-19, but as restrictions are being reduced we are rescheduling postponed surgeries.
To help save more lives and ensure people who use drugs alone have access to the supports they need, the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), in partnership with regional health authorities and Lifeguard Digital Health, has launched a new made-in-B.C. resource called the Lifeguard App.
The app is another tool in the province’s tool box to ensure a comprehensive response to the overdose crisis in British Columbia.
Youth around British Columbia and their families will have faster, easier access to mental health and substance use services and supports with eight new Foundry centres to be developed throughout the province.
The new Foundry centres will be in Burns Lake, Comox Valley, Cranbrook, Langley, Squamish, Surrey, Port Hardy and Williams Lake.
Northern Health Connections is gradually returning to standard passenger eligibility for the medical bus travel service.
On June 1, Northern Health Connections will go back to standard eligibility with the exception of passengers travelling without a medical appointment, which includes seniors (60+).
Passengers eligible to use the bus service include:
Northern Health is reminding Northern B.C. residents of an opportunity to share their COVID-19 pandemic experiences and actions, to help inform B.C.’s response and be part of further studies.
A province-wide survey – called ‘BC COVID-19 SPEAK: Your story, our future’ – has been launched to hear about your experiences and actions in the COVID-19 pandemic so far. So far, more than 313,000 British Columbians have shared their stories, including more than 11,500 Northern B.C. residents. More feedback is being sought, particularly from men and seniors in Northern B.C.
The COVID-19 situation in British Columbia is continually evolving. Visit the BC COVID-19 Dashboard for the latest case counts and information on recoveries, deaths, hospitalizations, testing and more, including specific data for the Northern Health region.
Northern Health is resuming elective surgeries that were postponed due to COVID-19, and we are committed to helping keep patients, medical staff and support staff safe.
NH is implementing plans for telephone pre-admission screening of surgical patients, where available. This new model of care will reduce the need for patients to come to the hospital for in-person visits before their surgeries, and will include telephone assessments, and consultations.
Increased Drug Toxicity Reported Across BC (Both Stimulants and Down)
FOR YOUR SAFETY
