Yes, you will continue to get treatment if you are injured by your own piercings

KELOWNA – Kelowna General Hospital is not changing their policy towards body piercings, despite social media reports to the contrary.

Interior Health Authority spokesperson Tara Gostelow says they are aware of rumours on social media that might make some patients think twice about seeking medical help at the hospital.

The rumour, repeated several times on various platforms, suggests a new policy is coming to Kelowna General Hospital, or other hospitals, to refuse service for injuries caused or complicated by piercings. 

It's entirely false, Gostelow says, and it's not a harmless rumour. Misinformation like this makes injured people think twice before seeking treatment. Interior Health said this about the rumours:

“There has been no change to our services, policies or operations related to care of patients with facial piercings, nor is any change planned. Individuals with facial piercings would receive the same access to care as any other individual attending a hospital in Interior Health, and would receive the treatment appropriate to their individual medical need.”


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Adam Proskiw

Adam has lived in B.C. most of his life. He was born in the Caribou, grew up in the Okanagan, went to university on Vancouver Island and worked as a news photographer in Vancouver. His favourite stories incorporate meaningful photography and feature interesting, passionate locals. He studied writing at UVic and photojournalism in California. He loves talking tractors, dogs and cameras and is always looking for a good story.


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