Community InformationLocated in the Elk Valley in southeast British Columbia, the mountain community of Fernie was traditionally a mining town. However, its location in one of the last great accessible wilderness areas in North American has made it a popular tourist destination in recent years. Amidst towering peaks and beautiful scenery, Fernie offers residents and visitors alike a host of recreational opportunities including fly-fishing, alpine skiing and golf. Heritage buildings in the downtown area lend character and quaintness to the town.
INDUSTRY:
Tourism, outdoor recreationPopulation
Town Population: 4,448 (BC Stats, 2011 Census)
Ages of Population:
0-17: 19.3%
18-24: 10.3%
25-64: 59.0%
65+: 11.4% (BC Stats, 2010 Figures)
Health Administrative Information
Health Authority: Interior Health
Health Service Delivery Area: East Kootenay
Regional District: East Kootenay Regional District
Rural Designation: RSA community
RRP Designation: A
RRP Points: 25.00
Practitioner + Clinic information
General Practitioners: 19 (www.cpsbc.ca) + 6 Specialists
Clinics
Rocky Mountain Health Centre
Box 2019, 901 – 5th Avenue
Fernie, BC, V0B 1M0
P: 250 423-4718
Sparling East Medical Centre
Box 820, 402- 2nd Avenue
Fernie, BC, V0B 1M0
P: 250 423-4442
Fernie Health Centre
1501 – 5th Avenue
Fernie, BC, VOB IMO
P: 250 423-8288
Leroux Clinic
521 2nd Avenue
Fernie, BC, V0B 1M0
P: 250 423-6404
Elk Valley Hospital is a busy Level 1 community hospital set in the picturesque Elk Valley. It serves as a hub for the South Country and for the Primary Care and Community Health Centres in the neighbouring communities of Sparwood and Elkford. Staff and physicians enjoy the professional and recreational opportunities as the Elk Valley boasts world class skiing, biking, fishing, and hiking.
Contact Info
Elk Valley Hospital
Box 670, 1501 – 5th Avenue
Fernie, BC, V0B 1M0
P: 250 423-4453 | F: 250 423-3732
Hospital Info
Acute Care Beds: 20
Referral Hospital: Kelowna
Major Medical Centre: Transfer to Kelowna, BC. (629 km’s)
Emergency Room
There is a full service Emergency Room in this community that provides acute and trauma care along with limited obstetrical care. It is open 24/7.
Number of Visits Per Year: 11,573 (2009/2010: IHA Stats)
Travel distance to transfer hospital: 629 km to Kelowna
Hospital CAEP and CTAS
CAEP Classification
Description Level 4 – Facility with inpatient beds. May be optional services i.e. obstetrics, definitive for appropriate conditions, stabilization and transfer to another facility as required, open 24/7
CTAS Level
CTAS Level I (Resuscitation)
CTAS Level II (Emergent)
CTAS Level III (Urgent)
CTAS Level IV (Less Urgent)
CTAS Level V (Non Urgent)
Anaesthetics
This community provides anaesthesia services.
Surgery
There are surgical services in this community, including procedures offered by visiting specialists
Maternity
There are Caesarian section services in this community.
Midwives from Cranbrook service this area.
East Kootenay Midwives
12 – 1617 Baker Street
Cranbrook, BC, V1C 1B4
P: 250 489-3198 | F: 250 489-3752
Lab services
Elk Valley Hospital Lab
Box 670, 1501 – 5th Avenue
Fernie, BC, V0B 1M0
P: 250 423-4453 | F: 250 423-3732
Blood Bank
There is a blood bank in this community.
Imaging services
X-Ray
Elk Valley Hospital Diagnostic Imaging
Box 670, 1501 – 5th Avenue
Fernie, BC, V0B 1M0
P: 250 423-4453 | F: 250 423-3732
CT
There are CT imaging services in this community.
Mammography
Mammography services provided by BC Cancer Agency twice a year.
See www.bccancer.bc.ca for details.
BC Ambulance
BC Ambulance Service provides coverage to this community, including Air Ambulance services.
Pharmacy
Extra Foods Pharmacy
Box 2620, 1792 – 9th Avenue
Fernie, BC, V0B 1M0
P: 250 423-3264 | F: 250 423-8074
IGS Value Drug Mart
Box 2560, 441 – 2nd Avenue
Fernie, BC, V0B 1M0
P: 250 423-4511 | F: 250 423-4543
Overwaitea Pharmacy #219
Box 1238, 792 – 2nd Avenue
Fernie, BC, V0B 1M0
P: 250 423-7704 | F: 250 423-3916
Extended Care
Rocky Mountain Village (61 beds)
55 Cokato Road
Fernie, BC, V0B 1M4
P: 250 423-4214
Home Nursing
Elk Valley Hospital
Box 670, 1501 – 5th Avenue
Fernie, BC, V0B 1M0
P: 250 423-4453 | F: 250 423-3732
Home & Community Care Office
P: 250 423-8288
Dietetics
Elk Valley Hospital Dietetic Services
Box 670, 1501 – 5th Avenue
Fernie, BC, V0B 1M0
P: 250 423-4453 | F: 250 423-3732
Diabetic Nurse Educator
Elk Valley Hospital Diabetes Education
Box 670, 1501 – 5th Avenue
Fernie, BC, V0B 1M0
P: 250 423-4453 | F: 250 423-3732
Midwifery
Midwives from Cranbrook service this area.
East Kootenay Midwives
12 – 1617 Baker Street
Cranbrook, BC, V1C 1B4
P: 250 489-3198 | F: 250 489-3752
Physiotherapy
Elk Valley Hospital
Box 670, 1501 – 5th Avenue
Fernie, BC, V0B 1M0
P: 250 423-4453 | F: 250 423-3732
In-community
Fernie Athletic Therapy and Rehabilitation
2nd Floor Rocky Mountain Health Centre
Box 1978, 901 – 5th Avenue
Fernie, BC, V0B 1M0
P: 250 423-4800 | TFP: 1 888 423-9006 | F: 250 423-3443
Occupational therapy
Elk Valley Hospital Physio
Box 670, 1501 – 5th Avenue
Fernie, BC, V0B 1M0
P: 250 423-4453 | F: 250 423-3732
In-community
Cotton Recovery Solutions
56 Mt. Proctor Avenue
Fernie, BC, V0B 1M3
P: 250 423-6846 | F: 250 423-6864
Mental Health and Addictions
Community Mental Health
Elk Valley Hospital
Box 670, 1501 – 5th Avenue
Fernie, BC, V0B 1M0
P: 250 423-4453 ext. 281 | F: 250 423-3732
In-community
CYMH Fernie
341 – 2nd Avenue
Fernie, BC, V0B 1M0
P: 250 423-5311
Hrs: Mon-Fri 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
East Kootenay Addiction Services Society
EKASS Elk Valley
802 – 2nd Avenue
Fernie, BC, V0B 1M0
P: 250 423-4423
Hrs: Mon-Fri 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Pain Management Outreach
Elk Valley Hospital
Box 670, 1501 – 5th Avenue
Fernie, BC, V0B 1M0
P: 250 423-4453 | F: 250 423-3732
Additional Outreach: Orthopedic, Obstetrician/Gynecology, ENT, NeurologyAnkors AIDS Network
#46 – 17th Avenue South
Cranbrook, BC, V1C 5A8
P: 250 426-3383 | TFP: 1 800 421-2437
Hrs: Drop-in: Tues & Thurs 2 pm – 4 pm
Hrs: Needle Exchange: Tues & Thurs 2 pm – 4 pmWomen’s Resource Centre
Pregnancy Outreach Program
Box 2054, 691A – 4th Avenue
Fernie, BC, V0B 1M0
P: 250 423-4687 | F: 250 423-3633
Services: Better Babies offers: Education and Support to pregnant women, new mothers and families, Home Visits, Nutrition and Health Counselling, Pre-natal Vitamins, Food Vouchers, Breastfeeding Support, Doula Services. All of are free.The Canadian Diabetes Association
Fernie & District Branch
1589 Sutherland Avenue
Kelowna, BC, V1Y 5Y7
P: 250 762-9447
www.diabetes.caFernie Women’s Resource and Drop-In Centre
Violence Against Women Counseling Services
691A – 4th Avenue
Fernie, BC, V0B 1V0
P: 250 423-4687
