NON EMERGENCY SERVICES

Non-emergency services under Interior Health (IH) are designed for ongoing health management, prevention, and support. These are generally accessed through a doctor's referral or by calling a central intake line.

1. Home and Community Care

These services help seniors and adults with disabilities live independently for as long as possible.

• Home Support: Assistance with daily living (bathing, dressing, medication administration).

• Community Nursing: Non-emergency nursing for wound care, IV therapy, and post-hospital care.

• Adult Day Services: Social and health programs in a community setting to provide caregiver respite.

• Rehabilitation Services: Occupational and Physical Therapy provided in-home or at community clinics.

• Palliative & End-of-Life Care: Support for pain management and comfort, including hospice coordination.

• Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Services: Specialized support for individuals recovering from brain injuries.

• Contact: Call the Home Health Central Intake at 1-800-707-8550.

2. Mental Health & Substance Use (MHSU)

IH provides community-based support for moderate to severe mental health and addiction concerns.

• Community Counselling: Short-term individual and group therapy for mental health challenges.

• Assertive Community Treatment (ACT): Intensive support for individuals with serious and persistent mental illness.

• Substance Use Services: Withdrawal management (detox), Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT), and outreach teams.

• Early Psychosis Intervention (EPI): Specialized care for young people experiencing their first episode of psychosis.

• Contact: Call 310-MHSU (6478) to reach your local community centre.

3. Public Health & Prevention

Services focused on health education, immunizations, and community safety.

• Immunization Clinics: Routine vaccinations for infants, children, and adults.

• Prenatal & Postnatal Care: "Baby Talk" classes, breastfeeding support, and public health nurse visits for new parents.

• Dental Health: Programs for children (0–6 years) and adults with developmental disabilities.

• Harm Reduction: Provision of supplies, education, and overdose prevention services.

• Environmental Health: Monitoring water quality, food safety (inspections), and tobacco control.

4. Seniors' Specialized Services

• Seniors Health & Wellness Centres: Located in Kelowna, Kamloops, and Salmon Arm, these centers offer specialized geriatric assessments and "aging in place" planning.

• Chronic Disease Management: Education and support for managing conditions like diabetes, COPD, and kidney disease.

• Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD): Information and coordination for end-of-life choices.

5. Specialized Clinics & Support

• Indigenous Patient Navigators (IPN): Culturally safe support for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit patients navigating the health system.

• Digital Health Support: Assistance with virtual care (Zoom) and using the MyHealthPortal to view your lab results and appointments.

Seniors & Home Care | 1-800-707-8550 | | Mental Health & Addiction | 310-MHSU (6478) | | General Health Advice | 8-1-1 | | Digital/Virtual Care Help | 1-844-870-4756 |