Job action to impact health lab services
Interior Health labs will be hit by job action on Monday.
Only essential service levels will be provided at the labs as members of the Health Sciences Professional Bargaining Association walk off the job to back their contract demands.
"This may result in outpatients with non-urgent lab requisitions being asked to return at a later date," Interior Health said in a press released issued Saturday.
"There will be no impact to lab services for chemotherapy, dialysis or transplant patients," the release states. "Urgent lab tests and pre-surgical screening for surgeries on Monday and Tuesday will still take place."
Anyone with a lab requisition who is unsure of whether they should go to a lab on Monday should call 250-231-4515.

Santa Sleigh Bus kicks off Monday
Residents are invited to the annual kickoff of the Kelowna Regional Transit Santa Sleigh Bus, which will take place outside City Hall (on Queensway beside the Bennett Clock and fountain) 4 p.m. Monday.
Kelowna's mayor and council are expected to be in attendance to take part in the festivities.
 "The Salvation Army is very grateful to the partnership that we have with the Santa Bus," said Maj. Ron Cartmell of The Salvation Army. "Year after year, they continue to assist us in raising money and raising awareness of the needs within the community. With the help of the community, we are able to provide Christmas food and toy hampers for more than 1,000 children at Christmas time and 6,000 individuals throughout the year."
This event will be the kickoff to the tenth annual celebration of the Kelowna Regional Transit Santa Sleigh Bus. The beautifully decorated bus will collect toys, food donations and money for the Salvation Army at schools and various locations throughout Kelowna, Peachland, West Kelowna and Lake Country.
In the previous nine years, thanks to the generous support of residents, more than $159,000 has been raised in toys, food and cash for this cause.

Developer proposes Mission playground
A partnership between the City of Kelowna and a developer would see construction of a new playground in an Upper Mission neighborhood.
On Tuesday, council will consider a staff suggestion to split the $80,000 cost of the proposed playground 50-50 with the builders of the Ponds subdivision, at the southern end of Gordon Drive.
The playground would be built adjacent to a site reserved for future construction of a middle school. Middle schools do not typically have playgrounds, so the amenity would benefit the entire community, city staff say.
If approved by council, the playground would be built next year.