Around every corner, volunteers help in health care | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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Kelowna News

Around every corner, volunteers help in health care

At facilities throughout Interior Health, over 4,800 volunteers provide services to enhance the comfort of patients and residents. To recognize their vital contributions, Interior Health is joining Volunteer Canada to mark National Volunteer Week April 12 – 18, 2015.

“Volunteers play a key role in our health care system,” said Health Minister Terry Lake. “We pay tribute to the thousands of volunteers who graciously donate their time and energy to support patients, clients and residents in health care facilities throughout the region.”

National Volunteer Week is Canada’s largest celebration of volunteers, volunteerism, and civic participation. It deserves to be recognized - across Canada 13.3 million volunteers contribute 2.1 billion total hours.

“Our volunteers range from teens to seniors and each one plays an integral role in supporting the care we provide,” said Interior Health Board Chair Erwin Malzer. “By volunteering in a health care setting these individuals are truly touching people’s lives.”

Volunteers perform a wide variety of services in Interior Health’s hospitals and residential care facilities, to ensure patients and residents have the comforts they need to enhance their quality of life.

For example in hospitals, auxiliaries help fundraise for special patient care equipment through gift shops and craft sales, while youth volunteers visit with patients, assemble test kits for emergency patients to take home, and other tasks. Other volunteers provide information, answer questions and direct patients and their loved ones where they need to go.

In residential facilities, volunteers visit with residents and help with recreation therapy such as entertainment, bingo, outings and events.

Interior Health is continually recruiting these special individuals to fill important roles in hospitals and health centres, residential care facilities, in public health related roles, and in communities. Visit www.interiorhealth.ca for volunteer opportunities in your area.

Visit Volunteer Canada, the National voice for volunteerism, at www.nationalvolunteerweek.ca to learn more about the difference volunteers make each day, and how you can recognize their efforts during national Volunteer Week. There are online videos, posters, e-cards and other resources available to let volunteers know how much their work is appreciated.

Interior Health is committed to promoting healthy lifestyles and providing a wide range of quality health-care services to more than 742,000 people living across B.C.’s vast interior.

For more information, visit www.interiorhealth.ca, follow us on Twitter @Interior_Health, or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/interiorhealth.ca.

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News from © iNFOnews, 2015
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