Patients in some B.C. Interior communities that need overnight emergency support could have less reason to worry thanks to the help of virtual aids.

Interior Health (IH) and the Ministry of Health are looking to deliver more consistent health-care access amid numerous unplanned service interruptions this year, with a mix of virtual and on-site staffing proposed as a pilot project for community hospitals in Nakusp, Clearwater, Lillooet and Princeton.

These four hospitals have comparable size and low volumes of overnight patients, but around-the-clock support from the Virtual Emergency Room Rural assistance (VERRa) model would allow physicians to share responsibilities and maintain access to care while also preserving their own wellness.

“Virtual support has proven its value across many a

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