Press release
Lower Mainland Health Authorities welcome Vineyards Residence care home residents evacuated due to wildfires
Vancouver, BC (August 20, 2023) — As a result of a wildfire threat and evacuation alert in area, Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), Fraser Health and Interior Health (IH) have worked closely together to temporarily relocate residents of the Vineyards Residence assisted living and long-term care home in Kelowna to George Pearson Centre and Villa Cathay in Vancouver.
Being evacuated so far from home can be distressing. B.C. Health Authorities are committed to providing the best continuity of care for arriving residents as well as maintaining high levels of care for current residents. VCH is partnering with IH and Fraser Health to augment staffing at George Pearson Centre and Villa Cathay to ensure a warm, welcoming and caring environment.
The wildfire emergency is impacting communities across the province. VCH and Fraser Health will continue to work with Health Emergency Management B.C. (HEMBC), IH and emergency service partners over the coming weeks to evaluate the wildfire threat and determine when residents can safely return to Vineyards Residence.
To find information about a family member or loved one evacuated as a result of wildfires in the Interior Health region, a toll free number is available: 1-833-469-9800. Hours of Operation will be Monday to Friday 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Please leave a message after-hours for a call back.
VCH, Fraser Health and IH share their gratitude with staff, medical staff, and partner health organizations who have stepped up to help neighbours from B.C.’s interior during this difficult time.
Vancouver Coastal Health is committed to delivering exceptional care to 1.25 million people, including the First Nations, Métis and Inuit in our region, within the traditional territories of the Heiltsuk, Kitasoo-Xai’xais, Lil’wat, Musqueam, N’Quatqua, Nuxalk, Samahquam, shíshálh, Skatin, Squamish, Tla’amin, Tsleil-Waututh, Wuikinuxv, and Xa’xtsa.
Fraser Health is responsible for the delivery of hospital and community-based health services to over 1.9 million people in 20 diverse communities from Burnaby to Fraser Canyon on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territories of the Coast Salish and Nlaka’pamux Nations, and is home to six Métis Chartered Communities.
Interior Health supports the health and well-being of more than 834,000 people across a vast region of 215,000 square kilometres located on the ancestral, unceded, and traditional territories of the seven Interior Region First Nations: Dãkelh Dené, St’át’imc, Syilx, Tŝilhqot’in, Ktunaxa, Secwépemc, and Nlaka’pamux Nations where we live, learn, collaborate and work together.
- 30 -
Contact:
Vancouver Coastal Health
media@vch.ca
604.202.2012 (after-hours)
Fraser Health
media@fraserhealth.ca
604.613.0794 (after-hours)
Interior Health
media@interiorhealth.ca
1.855.851.4195 (after-hours)