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HEALTH SERVICES

• General Information
• Hospitals
• Long Term/Intermediate Care
• Other Health Resources

General Information

Canadians and British Columbians are fortunate to enjoy a universal Medical Services Plan.

The North Okanagan Health Region provides acute, residential and community-based health services to the entire population of the North Okanagan, Shuswap and Columbia regions of British Columbia.

The Interior Health Authority has four Health Service Areas within the region – Okanagan, Thompson Cariboo Shuswap, Kootenay Boundary and East Kootenay. The health authority’s mission is to "Promote healthy lifestyles and provide needed health services in a timely, caring and efficient manner, to the highest professional and quality standards."

Over 100 doctors including several optometrists, psychiatrists, physiotherapists and massage therapists work in the region. There are several clinics in most areas as well as specialist offices for eye surgery, spine and sports physical therapy, and cardiologists. There are over 50 dentists and dental specialists in the North Okanagan. In addition to regular medical services, the region has a number of alternative medicine offices, including reflexology, healing energy and aura work, and Vernon has acupuncture, reflexology and naturopathic doctors.

Major health facilities for the North Okanagan can be found at Home - IHA.

North Okanagan Health Unit has offices located in Vernon, Armstrong, Enderby and Lumby.

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Hospitals

There is one hospital in the North Okanagan Region:

• Vernon Jubilee Hospital
  This facility offers a wide array of medical and heath services such as emergency, diabetic day care, intensive care, maternity and pediatrics, a cancer clinic, psychiatric care, respiratory therapy and surgical services. This hospital is the major health facility within the region with a total of 159 beds, 183 extended-care and special extended-care beds. Any medical situation that can not be handled at the Vernon Jubilee Hospital will be transported to the Kelowna General Hospital.

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Long Term Care/Intermediate Care

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Other Health Resources

The region has many clinics and medical services available through the private sector. A sample of these is listed below. For information or contact numbers contact the Social Planning Council of the North Okanagan.

• Okanagan Landing Walk-in Medical Clinic - Vernon
• Gartree Walk-in Medical Clinic - Vernon
• Saunders Walk-in Medical Clinic - Vernon
• Pleasant Valley Health Centre - Armstrong
• Lumby Medical Clinic - Lumby
• Bloom Medical Clinic - Lumby
• Whitevalley Community Resource Centre
• Aberdeen Dental - Vernon
• Apple Valley Dental Clinic - Vernon
• Enderby & Community Dental Clinic - Enderby
• Enderby Dental Centre – Enderby
• Enderby Medical Clinic – Enderby
• Vernon Family Doctors Medical Clinic - Vernon
• Day Break Adult Day Care Centre - Vernon
• Vernon and District Home Support Services - Vernon
• Armstrong / Spallumcheen Home Support - Armstrong
• Okanagan Hearing Clinic - Armstrong
• Outreach Health Care Services - Armstrong
• PRN Health Services - Armstrong
• Armstrong Physiotherapy Clinic - Armstrong
• Enderby Counseling Centre - Enderby
• Enderby Optometry Clinic - Enderby
• Enderby Physiotherapy Clinic - Enderby
• Chelation Medical Centre - Vernon

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The Region has specialized resources for the mentally challenged.

Kindale Development Association:

This organization provides services for people with special needs through both residential and day programs. The day program accommodates approximately 100 clients from Armstrong, Enderby and Vernon. The Association also offers pre-vocational and counseling programs, semi-independent training, behavioural management and a communication program.

Vernon and District Association for Community Living:

Vernon and District Association for Community Living operates the programs for persons with intellectual disabilities: Venture Woodworking, All Occasions by Venture - a retail wedding shop, Recycle Cycle - a bicycle repair and retail shop, a day activity centre, and lifeskills training programs.

North Okanagan Community Life Society:

This organization operates three homes, three semi-independent apartments and a Day Centre for mentally and physically challenged individuals. It provides a Development Centre to assist each individual in learning the skills of daily living. The mentally challenged are encouraged to take part in community activities with community access being a major objective of this organization.

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