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New clinical guidance to reduce risk for people during dual health emergencies

To help reduce the risks to people who use substances, the Province has announced new clinical guidance, effective immediately, for health-care providers to stem the spread of COVID-19 and respond to the ongoing overdose emergency.

The provincial clinical guidance incorporates the federal government’s recent exemptions to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

UPDATED – Additional visitor restrictions in place at Northern Health facilities

Northern Health is working in partnership with the Ministry of Health and BC Centre for Disease Control to respond to COVID-19. The situation is evolving quickly and our strategies are evolving to keep people in the communities we serve safe.

To support the Provincial Health Officer’s directions around social distancing and protect our residents, patients and staff from the transmission of COVID-19, Northern Health has made the difficult decision to allow only essential visits to our facilities.

Essential visits will be considered for patients who are:

Changes to protect seniors receiving care

To protect those most vulnerable and to address anticipated pressures on the acute care system, due to COVID-19, the Ministry of Health advises health authorities to:

Northern Health Connections service changes due to COVID-19

Due to the current COVID-19 situation, Northern Health Connections will be restricting passenger travel. Recognizing the age and underlying health of our clients, only those individuals requiring travel for essential medical appointments will be booked for service. Individuals who are mid trip and have a paid return ticket prior to March 22, 2020 are still eligible to use Northern Health Connections to return home.   

Northern Health Connections will also not be accepting any walk-on passengers, with no exceptions.

Visitor restrictions in place at Northern Health facilities/outpatient clinics

Northern Health is working in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the BC Centre for Disease Control to respond to COVID-19.

To keep our patients, families and staff safe and in keeping with the provincial health officer’s recommendations for social distancing, Northern Health is limiting the number of visitors entering our buildings, effective immediately.

Until further notice, the following visitor restrictions are in place:

Non-urgent scheduled surgeries postponed

BC is taking a number of additional steps to address the changing situation in B.C. and ensure our health-care system is best positioned to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

British Columbia's health authorities including Northern Health have been directed to move all hospitals in the province to Outbreak Response Phase 2, as of March 16, 2020.

B.C. patients served more local food than ever before

Provincial health-care facilities are working hard to serve patients and residents more local food, supporting farmers, fishers, ranchers and processors, and connecting more people with food from B.C. communities.

To encourage, inspire and support the shift to B.C. foods, the Ministry of Health partnered with the Ministry of Agriculture and all of B.C.’s health authorities to implement Feed BC in health-care facilities.

Budget 2020 keeps building a stronger B.C. for everyone

Budget 2020 moves British Columbia forward by building the infrastructure the growing province needs, supporting thousands of new jobs, strengthening investments in health and education and making life more affordable for everyone.

Budget 2020 makes new commitments to bring capital spending over three years to $22.9 billion – the highest level in BC’s history.

BC is one of Canada’s fastest growing economies. But while the economy has grown, life has become too expensive for many families.