FIND AN ADVOCATE

In the Interior Health (IH) region, advocacy is structured through internal health authority offices and external partners that specialize in specific patient needs.

1. General Patient & Quality Advocacy

These offices are your first stop for formal complaints or when you feel your care has not met provincial standards.

• Patient Care Quality Office (PCQO): The primary internal advocacy body for IH. They formally register complaints, investigate concerns, and work toward a resolution.

  • Phone: 1-877-442-2001

  • Email: PCQO@interiorhealth.ca

• Patient Care Quality Review Board: An independent body that reviews your case if you are unsatisfied with the PCQO’s final response.

• Office of the Ombudsperson: An external, independent office that investigates the fairness of administrative actions taken by health authorities.

2. Indigenous Advocacy & Navigation

Interior Health provides specialized advocacy to ensure culturally safe care for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit patients.

• Indigenous Patient Navigators (IPN): These advocates work within hospitals (like Kelowna General, Royal Inland, and Vernon Jubilee) to help patients navigate the system, understand their rights, and ensure cultural protocols are respected.

  • Phone (Central): 250-770-3696

• First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) Quality Care Office: Provides advocacy specifically for First Nations individuals who have concerns about the safety or quality of their healthcare experience.

• Métis Nation BC (MNBC) Health Experience Program: Offers advocacy and support for Métis citizens to ensure their healthcare experiences are respectful and culturally appropriate.

3. Seniors’ Advocacy

Interior Health region seniors can access advocacy through both clinical and community-based channels.

• Office of the Seniors Advocate BC: An independent office that monitors seniors' services and provides a support line to help seniors navigate issues like housing, transportation, and health care.

  • Phone: 1-877-952-3181

• Seniors’ Health & Wellness Centres: Located in Kamloops, Kelowna, Salmon Arm, and Revelstoke, these centers often act as a hub for geriatric advocacy and specialized care coordination.

• BC Association of Community Response Networks (BC CRN): Works within Interior communities (like the Kootenays and Okanagan) to advocate against adult abuse and neglect.

4. Mental Health & Substance Use (MHSU) Advocacy

• 310-MHSU (6478): This central line connects you to local MHSU centers which provide access to clinical advocates and case managers.

• Interior Crisis Line Network: A network of community-based crisis lines (like the Kootenay Boundary or South Okanagan lines) that provide immediate emotional support and advocacy referrals.

  • Phone: 1-888-353-2273

Key Contacts Summary

If you need advocacy for...

Contact the...

Phone Number

A hospital complaint

Patient Care Quality Office

1-877-442-2001

Indigenous-specific care

Indigenous Patient Navigator

250-770-3696

Seniors' services/rights

Office of the Seniors Advocate

1-877-952-3181

Mental Health support

MHSU Central Access Line

310-MHSU (6478)