A blood test helps a doctor check for diseases and conditions. The results provide valuable information on how well your organs are doing or if treatments are working.
Doctor-ordered blood work is important to your well-being.
A blood test is often the first step to seeing a specialist.
Just over a year ago one of Vernon's blood labs, the Sterling Centre Lab on 25th Ave shut its doors.
The closure was supposed to be temporary. Interior Health just confirmed the Sterling Centre laboratory will not be reopening. The lab is permanently closed
IH says they can't find enough trained staff to keep the facility operating.
Not to worry they say, people requiring blood work in Vernon can still visit the two private Valley Medical Laboratories or the Outpatient Lab located at Vernon Jubilee Hospital.
ExNews looked into Interior Health's suggestion and checked access at the Vernon Jubilee Hospital.
We also looked at the private clinics in Vernon and the surrounding communities.
The VJH hospital's website says it only has a limited capacity for walk-in patients.
The outpatient clinic at VJH asks that you book an appointment online. You are urged to use the walk-in option only if you can't book an appointment online that works for you.
To book bloodwork online at Vernon Jubilee Hospital you must first create an account.
Because your personal information might be stored on a server in a foreign country, a warning from the hospital appears:
"Due to the fact that future emails will contain personal information about you, including your name, email and appointment information, the freedom of information and protection of privacy act requires that we obtain your consent before we continue."
The fact personal information of a sensitive nature may be stored out of the county is unsettling for many.
We also checked the two private labs in Vernon. Both were jammed with walk-ins. At one location the line was out the door and down the sidewalk when we went by.
The staff at the two private labs are doing their best but it's obvious there is too much demand for the two locations.
Sitting in a room full of people with health concerns is an uncomfortable prospect for some
There once was an option to book an appointment in advance at the downtown Vernon private clinic. That option has not been available for at least the last two weeks. Vernon is still listed on the online booking page but any attempts at setting up an appointment just fail.
Closures undoubtedly put pressure on labs in surrounding communities
We decided to check online bookings in nearby communities. There were five private locations that offered online bookings out of a total of fourteen private clinics from Osoyoos and Lumby. Some are walk-in only and some you can phone.
The Valley Medical Laboratories website lists 5 locations that offer online bookings. Capri in Kelowna, Peachland, Lumby, Vernon and Winfield. You can only book 3 weeks in advance.
This is what we found at the time of writing:
Capri in Kelowna - Completely booked
Peachland - Completely booked
Lumby - Completely booked
Vernon - Booking service listed but not available.
Winfield - Completely booked
So where do you go? It wasn't that long ago if your doctor said you needed blood work you went to a clinic and were done.
The Okanagan population has increased by over 10 percent in the last decade. Statistics Canada says the population is getting older too.
On top of that, the Okanagan is one of Canada's most popular retirement destinations.
The private clinics and existing staff can't be expected to take on the extra burden, it's only a matter of time until burnout makes the problem even worse.
The Okanagan needs more facilities not less.
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR LABS. If You Are Experiencing A Medical Emergency, Call 911
Vernon Jubilee Hospital Polson Tower Lab
Patients are encouraged to make appointments online at www.labonlinebooking.ca or by calling our Lab Call Centre at 1-877-740-7747. The Call Centre is open 8 a.m. to Monday-Friday.
Polson Tower Outpatient Lab
Vernon Jubilee Hospital
2101 32 St, Vernon, BC V1T 5L2
Hours: 7:30am-4pm Mon-Fri
Pleasant Valley Health Centre Lab
3800 Patten Drive, Armstrong, BC
Limited walk-in
Fax: 250-546-8834
Hours: 7:40am - 3pm Mon-Fri, 7:40am-2pm Wed
Closed: 9am- 9:30am, 11:30am - 12:30pm
Enderby Community Health Centre Lab
707-3rd Ave, Enderby, BC
Limited walk-in
Fax: 250-838-2463
Hours: 7:40am - 2pm Tues, 7:40am-3pm Thurs
Closed: 9am- 9:30am, 11:30am - 12:30pm
(NOTE, OUR ATTEMPTS TO BOOK APPOINTMENTS AT THIS LOCATION ONLINE FAILED)
Booked Appointments:
Vernon Downtown Lab
101-3207 30th Ave, Vernon, BC
Phone: 250-549-1207
Fax: 250-549-1259
Hours: 8am - 4:30pm Mon-Fri
Closed daily: 12pm-1pm
Lake Country Lab (Winfield)
9966 Pollard Rd, Winfield, BC
Phone: 250-766-4443
Fax: 250-766-4467
Hours: 8am - 4:30pm Mon-Fri
Closed daily: 12pm-1pm
Walk-in service:
Vernon Railway Plaza Lab
#106- 4710 31st St, Vernon, BC
Phone: 250-503-1914
Fax: 250-503-1924
Hours: 7:30am - 4pm Mon-Fri
Online scheduling is not available at this location.