Community InformationNestled peacefully in the historic Similkameen Valley in south central British Columbia is the colourful town of Keremeos. Rich in history, folklore and diversity, the town maintains the atmosphere of the old west. Keremeos is known for its long, hot summers and mild winters, which provide excellent growing conditions for apples, apricots, peaches, cherries and tomatoes. Hiking, skiing, rafting and shopping at the many local summer fruit stands are popular leisure pursuits in the area.
INDUSTRY:
Fruit orchards, tourismPopulation
Town Population: 1,330 (BC Stats, 2011 Census)
Ages of Population:
0-17: 16.1%
18-24: 6.3%
25-64: %
65+: 28.4% (BC Stats, 2010 Figures)
Health Administrative Information
Health Authority: Interior Health
Health Service Delivery Area: Okanagan
Regional District: Okanagan – Similkameen
Rural Designation: RSA community
RRP Designation: C
RRP Points: 10.65
Practitioners
General Practitioners: 6 (www.cpsbc.ca)
The South Similkameen Health Centre was built in the year 2000 after much planning and hard work by many local residents. We are a very unique Health Centre in that we have combined many health care services under one roof and, as well, on one level.
Adjoining the Health Centre is a 14 bed Assisted Living unit which was built in the fall of 2005.
The Health Centre services a population of approximately 5,000 people which encompasses the communities of Keremeos, Cawston, Hedley and Olalla. The closest acute care hospital is located in Penticton which is only 47 kilometers away.
Contact Info
South Similkameen Health Centre
Box 579, 700 – 3rd Street
Keremeos, BC, V0X 1N0
P: 250 499-3000 | F: 250 499-3026
Hrs: Mon-Fri 8:00 am – 4:30 pm, Sat 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Health Centre Info
Emergency Room
There is a limited service Emergency Room which provides acute care and urgent care in this community. It is open Mon-Sat 9 am – 5 pm
Number of Visits per Year: Scheduled – 645 / Unscheduled – 2,722 (2007/2008: IHA Stats)
Travel Distance to the Nearest Major Hospital: 109 km to Kelowna
Health Centre CAEP and CTAS
CAEP Classification
Description Level 3 – Without inpatient beds, Staffed RNs and a few physicians, might provide long term care, definitive care for appropriate conditions, stabilization and transfer to another facility as required, usually not open 24/7
Lab services
South Similkameen Health Centre Lab
Box 579, 700 – 3rd Street
Keremeos, BC, V0X 1N0
P: 250 499-3004 | F: 250 499-3001
Hrs: Mpn-Fri 9 am – 1 pm
Imaging services
X-Ray
South Similkameen Health Centre Imaging
Box 579, 700 – 3rd Street
Keremeos, BC, V0X 1N0
P: 250 499-3017 | F: 250 499-3001
Hrs: Wed 9 am – 2 pm. Appointment necessary.
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
Pharmasave #250
Box 337, 526 – 7th Avenue
Keremeos, BC, V0X 1N0
P: 250 499-5543 | F: 250 499-5212
Similkameen Pharmacy
Box 578, 704 – 7th Street
Keremeos, BC, V0X 1N0
P: 250 499-5086 | F: 250 499-5086
Extended Care
Orchard Heaven Extended Care (25 beds)
South Similkameen Health Centre
Box 579, 700 – 3rd Street
Keremeos, BC, V0X 1N0
P: 250 499-3033 | F: 250 499-3001
Home Nursing
South Similkameen Health Centre
Home Care Nursing – Palliative Care & Prenatal Home Visits
Box 579, 700 – 3rd Street
Keremeos, BC, V0X 1N0
P: 250 499-3033 | F: 250 499-3001
We Care Penticton
P: 250 493-6693 | F: 250 492-3883
Dietetics
Dietitian Services
South Similkameen Health Centre
Box 579, 700 – 3rd Street
Keremeos, BC, V0X 1N0
P: 250 499-3000 | F: 250 499-3026
Diabetic Nurse Educator
Diabetes Education
South Similkameen Health Centre
Box 579, 700 – 3rd Street
Keremeos, BC, V0X 1N0
P: 250 499-3029 | TFP: 1 800 707-8550 | F: 250 499-3026
Physiotherapy
Rehabilitation Services
South Similkameen Health Centre
Box 579, 700 – 3rd Street
Keremeos, BC, V0X 1N0
P: 250 499-3004 | F: 250 499-3001
Hrs: Tues, Thurs, Fri 8:00 am – 4:30 pm. Appointment necessary.
In-community
Pro-Physio Clinic
3002 Orchard Drive
Keremeos, BC, V0X 1N1
P: 250 460-1364
Occupational therapy
Rehabilitation Services
South Similkameen Health Centre
Box 579, 700 – 3rd Street
Keremeos, BC, V0X 1N0
P: 250 499-3000 | F: 250 499-3026
Mental Health and Addictions
Mental Health & Addiction Services
South Similkameen Health Centre
Box 579, 700 – 3rd Street
Keremeos, BC, V0X 1N0
P: 250 499-3029 | F: 250 499-3027
Hrs: Mon-Fri 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Keremeos Residential Centre
3865 – Highway 3, SS 1
Keremeos, BC, V0X 1N1
P: 250 499-4165
CYMH Lower Similkameen Community Services Society
Rm. A508A, 700 – 3rd Street
Keremeos, BC, V0X 1N1
P: 250 499-2352 ext. 3
Hrs: Mon-Fri 8 am – 12 noon
Gustavson House
701 – 3rd Street
Keremeos, BC, V0X 1N1
P: 250 499-2352 ext. 120
http://lscss.com/Programs/gustavsonhouse.html
Social workers
South Similkameen Health Centre
Box 579, 700 – 3rd Street
Keremeos, BC, V0X 1N0
P: 250 499-3000 | F: 250 499-3001
Elderly Outreach Program
84 Duncan Avenue West
Penticton, BC, V2A 2Y2
P: 250 493-9311
