News

The first of three new MRI units in the Northern Health region is now serving patients in Prince George. The new MRI at UHNBC (pictured above) replaces the facility’s 14-year old unit, with significantly upgraded technology. Two more MRI installation projects are underway at other NH facilities: Mills Memorial Hospital in Terrace, and Fort St. John Hospital & Health Centre. These new MRI units, tripling the number of MRI’s in the Northern Health region, go into service this summer and fall.

Northern Health is pleased to announce that SmartMom, Canada’s first prenatal education program delivered by text messaging, has launched throughout the Northern B.C. region.

SmartMom, which is free of charge to women and their families, texts evidence-based messages to guide women through each week of their pregnancy, ensuring that women receive the right information and resources at the right time.

Northern Health is implementing a new method for after-hours patient registration across the region following a successful pilot project.

At most NH facilities, after-hours registration of patients is done by clinical (nursing) staff after they have medically assessed, or triaged, the patient. The only facility that offers 24/7 in-person patient registration staffed by registration clerks is the University Hospital of Northern BC (UHNBC) in Prince George.

A review of radiology exams (CT scan, ultrasound and general x-ray) from Northwest B.C. is now complete. A group of radiologists at Vancouver General Hospital re-read images originally read by one radiologist at Mills Memorial Hospital in Terrace between October 2016 and January 2017. Results have been shared with physicians and their patients.

Northern Health is expanding the NH Connections healthcare service to benefit patients in northeast B.C. Starting April 4th, NH Connections service will increase from three, to five days a week service, Monday to Friday.

”Increasing access to services that people need is important,” said Peace River South MLA Mike Bernier. “I am happy to see this program expanding to further improve service to Peace region residents.”

Northern Health and the Vanderhoof Hospice Society are pleased to announce the start of local palliative care services at Stuart Nechako Manor.

Opening in early April 2017, the new Hospice Suite at Stuart Nechako Manor will provide a comfortable space for patients and their families to stay together during the final stages of a terminal illness while receiving care and support from physicians, staff, and volunteers trained in hospice palliative care.

Northern Health’s Indigenous Health program launched their new website today, along with a new video introducing cultural safety in health care systems. They also announced a name change from Aboriginal Health to Indigenous Health. At a presentation attended by Prince George area MLAs, Dr. Margo Greenwood, Vice President of the Indigenous Health program, shared highlights from the past year.

Two men from northern BC have won $2,500 cash from the BC Lung Association after committing to quit smoking for a week in early February. Joey Utz from Smithers and Doug Stewart from Chetwynd were randomly selected as winners from the over 850 men that participated in the Cold Turkey No More campaign that was run by the BC Lung Association in partnership with Northern Health.