Healthcare

Aaron Banfield poses in front of the non-denominational stained glass window in the soon-to-be sacred space. The space will support connectedness and mindfulness among patients at the Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital. Photo: Submitted

Cancer patient plans sacred space in Kootenay hospital

The space will allow patients to focus on emotional wellness and find support from their peers.

 

A second Ashcroft resident in severe medical distress living within half-a-block of the ambulance station has had to wait nearly 30 minutes for an ambulance to arrive, and has not survived. (Photo credit: Ashcroft <em>Journal</em> file photo)

B.C. man dies within sight of ambulance station with no paramedics available

Second time in less than a month no ambulance available in Ashcroft for person in medical distress

 

Protesters gather outside the Ministry of Health Wednesday (Aug. 10) afternoon, calling on the provincial government to address the family doctor shortage. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)

Demonstrators in Victoria call for province to address B.C.’s family doctor shortage

People with and without family physicians converge on Health Ministry office

 

Hours have been reduced at the Urgent Care Centre in Chemainus. (File photo by Don Bodger)

Urgent Care hours reduced at another Island Health facility in August

Six days targeted for temporary closures

Hours have been reduced at the Urgent Care Centre in Chemainus. (File photo by Don Bodger)
From left to right, U2 singer Bono, Philanthropist and Co-Chairman of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates, and France’s President Emmanuel Macron congratulate each other on stage during the Global Fund to Fight AIDS event at the Lyon’s congress hall, central France, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Laurent Cipriani

Advocates say Canada should commit $1.2 billion to fight against AIDS, TB and malaria

Investment, with other countries’ help, could save 20 million lives over next few years: advocates

From left to right, U2 singer Bono, Philanthropist and Co-Chairman of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates, and France’s President Emmanuel Macron congratulate each other on stage during the Global Fund to Fight AIDS event at the Lyon’s congress hall, central France, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Laurent Cipriani
Port McNeill Hospital. (Gazette file photo)

2 North Island hospital ERs temporarily closed over the weekend

Island Health acknowledged that this is not an ideal situation for the communities

Port McNeill Hospital. (Gazette file photo)
Dr. Nordine, a Kelowna-based physician is no longer able to work at a local detox centre because of his failure to comply with the provincial vaccination mandate (Joshua Nordine/Facebook)

Campaign aims to get unvaxxed health care workers back in B.C. hospitals

‘Hire Back our Heroes’ campaigners says an entire career should not be tainted by one decision

Dr. Nordine, a Kelowna-based physician is no longer able to work at a local detox centre because of his failure to comply with the provincial vaccination mandate (Joshua Nordine/Facebook)
Positive, left, and negative COVID-19 antigen rapid tests are picture in Calgary, Alta., Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022. As research suggests that COVID-19 has infected roughly half of the Canadian population, the emergence of an even more contagious version of the virus is raising concerns that some people may be in for another round.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Already had COVID-19? Here’s what we know about reinfections

About half of Canadians have had COVID-19 so far, research suggests

Positive, left, and negative COVID-19 antigen rapid tests are picture in Calgary, Alta., Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022. As research suggests that COVID-19 has infected roughly half of the Canadian population, the emergence of an even more contagious version of the virus is raising concerns that some people may be in for another round.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Liberal MP Hedy Fry speaks during a news conference in Ottawa, on June 15, 2017. Fry introduced a private bill in late June, Bill C-295, that would amend Section 215 of the Criminal Code to specifically criminalize owners and managers of long-term care homes for failing to provide the “necessaries of life” to vulnerable adults. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Ottawa exploring criminal reform as Liberal MP tables bill on long-term care neglect

Bill C-295 looks to criminalize care home owners who fail to provide residents with necessities

Liberal MP Hedy Fry speaks during a news conference in Ottawa, on June 15, 2017. Fry introduced a private bill in late June, Bill C-295, that would amend Section 215 of the Criminal Code to specifically criminalize owners and managers of long-term care homes for failing to provide the “necessaries of life” to vulnerable adults. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix speaking at the May 13, 2022 opening of the new Primary Care Centre in Chilliwack. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

Brand new B.C. primary care centre can’t find doctors to staff it

The clinic opened in May, but the province and Fraser Health can’t find people to work there

B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix speaking at the May 13, 2022 opening of the new Primary Care Centre in Chilliwack. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
Letter to the editor.

LETTER – Take time to show your appreciation to hospital staff

Dear editor, We must not forget, for some, things are not getting…

  • Jul 13, 2022
Letter to the editor.
Signs pinned up by Moms Stop the Harm members outside Victoria’s Fairmont Empress hotel, where Canada’s premiers were meeting on July 12. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Overdoses, healthcare crises spur Victoria protests at premiers’ meeting

Groups gathered outside the Fairmont Empress in side-by-side calls for action

Signs pinned up by Moms Stop the Harm members outside Victoria’s Fairmont Empress hotel, where Canada’s premiers were meeting on July 12. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)
B.C. Premier John Horgan pauses after announcing he will not run in the next provincial election during a news conference in Vancouver, on Tuesday, June 28, 2022. A group representing emergency room doctors across the country has a message for Canada’s premiers: come up with a co-ordinated plan to prevent their workplaces from being closed due to staffing shortages that are creating an unprecedented crisis in health care. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Ottawa’s share of health-care funding to be top concern at premiers’ meeting in B.C.

Premiers calling for feds to increase their share of spending from 22 to 35 per cent

B.C. Premier John Horgan pauses after announcing he will not run in the next provincial election during a news conference in Vancouver, on Tuesday, June 28, 2022. A group representing emergency room doctors across the country has a message for Canada’s premiers: come up with a co-ordinated plan to prevent their workplaces from being closed due to staffing shortages that are creating an unprecedented crisis in health care. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Dave Saunders, former Colwood mayor and an advocate for increased long-term care solutions on the West Shore, is using the Saunders Family Foundation to lobby for a new approach to community health care. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

VIDEO: Vancouver Island team proposing real solutions to B.C.’s family doctor crisis

Integrated approach to community health care promoted by former Colwood mayor

Dave Saunders, former Colwood mayor and an advocate for increased long-term care solutions on the West Shore, is using the Saunders Family Foundation to lobby for a new approach to community health care. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
A doctor examines a patient with a stethoscope in her doctor’s office. In B.C., some family doctors are calling for a switch from the current payment model that compensates them per patient, to one that compensates them regardless of the time they spend with each person. CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Thomas Kienzle

B.C. family doctors say time-based payment model one way to create less stress, better care

Current fee-for-service model pays doctors per patient regardless of how long they spend with them

A doctor examines a patient with a stethoscope in her doctor’s office. In B.C., some family doctors are calling for a switch from the current payment model that compensates them per patient, to one that compensates them regardless of the time they spend with each person. CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Thomas Kienzle
A nurse is silhouetted behind a glass panel as she tends to a patient at the Bluewater Health Hospital in Sarnia, Ont., on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Salmon Arm nurse suspended for mistreating patients who wouldn’t sleep

Feizal Halim will no longer be allowed to be the only nurse on duty

A nurse is silhouetted behind a glass panel as she tends to a patient at the Bluewater Health Hospital in Sarnia, Ont., on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
Dozens hold signs and show support at the BC Health Care Matters rally on May 19, 2022, at the legislature for World Family Doctor Day. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)

B.C. reconsidering signing incentives for new family doctors following push back

Resident doctors say offer didn’t come close to addressing real problems

Dozens hold signs and show support at the BC Health Care Matters rally on May 19, 2022, at the legislature for World Family Doctor Day. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)
An employer takes a leap at WildPlay Nanaimo’s Bungy Bridge during last year’s Toss the Boss fundraiser for brain injury awareness. The event raised more than $87,000 in 2021 and the Victoria and Nanaimo Brain Injury societies hope to see it generate $125,000 this summer. (Courtesy of Pam Prewett)

Island brain injury fundraiser lets employees ‘drop their boss’ 46 metres in Nanaimo

Businesses have until Sept. 23 to raise $500 for cause, employer bungee jump

An employer takes a leap at WildPlay Nanaimo’s Bungy Bridge during last year’s Toss the Boss fundraiser for brain injury awareness. The event raised more than $87,000 in 2021 and the Victoria and Nanaimo Brain Injury societies hope to see it generate $125,000 this summer. (Courtesy of Pam Prewett)
Linda MacMullen (seen here with her support dog, Bailey) is hopeful a new treatment for those living with myasthenia gravis will ultimately lead to more independence for her. Photo by Terry Farrell

Medical treatment offers hope for those living with myasthenia gravis

Courtenay resident Linda MacMullen was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis (MG) in 2001,…

Linda MacMullen (seen here with her support dog, Bailey) is hopeful a new treatment for those living with myasthenia gravis will ultimately lead to more independence for her. Photo by Terry Farrell
The Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island is pitching a project to build and operate accommodations for families of patients at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, similar to Jeneece Place in Victoria. (News Bulletin file photo)

Jeneece Place-style patient family accommodations proposed for Nanaimo hospital

Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island pitches Jesse’s House project to city council

The Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island is pitching a project to build and operate accommodations for families of patients at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, similar to Jeneece Place in Victoria. (News Bulletin file photo)