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By Corey Fischer

Hospice House Patients Moved Due To Rising Creek

May 9, 2018 | 4:51 PM

Patients at the Vernon Hospice House have been moved to higher ground.

The North Okanagan Hospice Society’s executive director, Ruth Edwards, says they were concerned about rising levels on BX Creek, which runs next to their facility on 27th Avenue.

“It rose probably a foot and a half to two feet in a matter of a very few hours, so we were quite concerned the creek would spill its banks,” Edwards tells Beach Radio News.

Edwards says after talks with Interior Health and the the City of Vernon, they decided to move their nine patients to Vernon Jubilee Hospital until further notice.

“The real pinch point is across 27th Avenue from where Hospice House is, and that’s where the creek, if its going to be diverted, due to debris or increased volume, that’s where it’s going to be diverted. And then the risk is it comes straight into our parking lot, and then through the house.”

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Edwards says they are in a holding pattern at the moment as to what the next steps will be.

She says the creek levels are expected to subside tonight.

“But they are also concerned about the coming forecast with warmer weather and expected rainfall over the weekend,” adds Edwards.

The facility provides 12 beds for palliative care.

by Corey Fischer

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