News

People throughout B.C. will continue to get improved access to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exams as government adds 15,000 more exams in the second year of the B.C. Surgical and Diagnostic Imaging Strategy after exceeding its first-year targets.

In 2019-20, a further $5.25 million is being added to complete 248,369 exams annually. Under the strategy launched last year, government invested $11 million of ongoing funding to substantially increase the number of exams.

A year-long collaboration between BC Children’s Hospital and Northern Health is improving access to specialist care for young patients in Terrace, closer to home.

Due to water damage and incoming restoration resulting from an early morning fire, Northern Health has moved residents out of three sections of Stuart Nechako Manor in Vanderhoof. No residents or staff have been harmed during or as a result of the event.

Northern Health’s Board of Directors heard details of progress on implementation of the Northern First Nations Wellness Plan, and about an integrated approach to Adult Day Program services for seniors in the Bulkley Valley, at its most recent meeting in Smithers.

Enhanced critical and emergency care are on the way for people in the North Cariboo, as the business plan has been approved for a new emergency department and intensive care unit (ICU) at G.R. Baker Memorial Hospital in Quesnel.

G. R. Baker Memorial Hospital has served the community and area for more than 60 years, but the emergency department and ICU are outdated. Hospital redevelopment planning has been ongoing since 2014, however, had not moved forward. Government received a business plan from Northern Health in November 2018 and approved it four months later, in March 2019.

People in Prince George will soon have better access to team-based everyday health care, with the new Prince George Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC) anticipated to open in June 2019 and the launch of a primary-care network (PCN).

Protecting children against illness and ensuring they have a healthy future is the focus of the annual Kindergarten Health Fair for local children entering Kindergarten in September 2019. The free program will be running April 24, 25, and 26, 2019 at the Smithers Public Health Unit.

Sponsored by Northern Health, the event 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.

An active case of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) has been confirmed at College of New Caledonia in Prince George, and Northern Health is following up with all those who may be at risk to ensure they are assessed. Follow up through contact tracing has already begun.