News

Summer brings many things, including enjoying our time on the many lakes in northern BC. For those living on lakes year round, part time, or just visiting, it’s important to stay healthy while enjoying the experience.

With the warming weather, blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) blooms may appear in lakes across northern BC. Blue-green algae are naturally occurring and can look like scum, grass clippings, fuzz or globs on the surface of water. Blue-green algae can be blue-green, greenish-brown, brown, or pinkish-red, and often smells musty or grassy.

A major milestone for Northern Health’s IMAGINE grant program is among highlights from the latest regular meeting of the NH Board of Directors, held in Chetwynd this week.

2018 marks a decade that the NH Population & Preventive Public Health IMAGINE Community Granting program has been providing seed funding for community-led projects to promote healthy living. In that time, more than 800 projects have been awarded over $2.3 million dollars.

Work is underway on a new inpatient unit at the University Hospital of Northern BC (UHNBC) that will focus on keeping patients strong, mobile and active during their hospital stay, reflecting the provincial government’s focus on team-based primary care.

IDL Projects has been awarded the contract for construction to develop UHNBC’s second floor to add inpatient rooms, as well as exercise/rehab, dining, and common/lounge areas for a new 24-bed unit.

The Northern Health Board of Directors’ latest public meeting, held in Terrace, discussed next steps for the development of a new hospital to serve Terrace and area. Northern Health is working on a business plan, expected to be completed in the late fall.

Northern Health has released its hand hygiene compliance reports for quarter 3 (2017-2018).

Protecting children against childhood illness and ensuring they have a healthy future is the focus of the annual Kindergarten Health Fair for local children entering Kindergarten in September 2018. The free program will be running May 2nd, 3rd and 4th, 2018 at the Smithers Public Health Unit.

Sponsored by Northern Health, the circuit provides a one-stop venue for immunization; vision, dental and hearing screenings, as well as injury prevention and nutritional information. Parents are offered further support if their child is found to be in need.

Northern Health has committed to expanding the Fort St. James Primary Care/Medical Clinic in a way that will improve primary care and community health services for patients and staff, as well as introduce team-based care.

The Fort St. James Primary Care/Medical Clinic is moving to a new location which will undergo renovations to better meet the needs of the community.  

Plans for the project include:

Northern Health is looking for community partners with ideas for projects that will improve the health of those living, working, learning and playing in northern BC. The next opportunity to apply for IMAGINE Community Grants began March 1, 2018.

IMAGINE grants provide funding to community organizations, service agencies, Indigenous organizations, schools, municipalities, regional districts, and other partners with projects that support northerners in their efforts to stay healthy.