Hospitals

Nursing staff at West Coast General Hospital celebrate the announcement of a $6.25-million expansion of the emergency department that will start in March 2021. (File photo)

B.C. health ministry commits $6.25M to hospital expansion in Port Alberni

Plans for larger emergency department have been on hold since 2015

 

Chris and Taylor Doughty welcomed their son into the world at 1:54 a.m. on New Year’s Day at the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. (Courtesy of Island Health)

Vancouver Island’s New Year’s baby born in Nanaimo two hours after midnight

Gerald Patrick Doughty weighs 9 pounds 12 ounces

 

A Vernon mom was rushed to Vancouver with her unborn child after her water broke two days after Christmas, and 11 weeks too early. (Contributed)

Okanagan mom rushed to Lower Mainland hospital with unborn baby

Just two days after Christmas, Tia’s water broke, but she’s not due until March 20

 

Since the Saanich Peninsula Hospital COVID-19 outbreak was declared Dec.1, 22 people have tested positive, four of which have died. (Arnold Lim/Black Press)

Death count up to 4 in Vancouver Island hospital COVID-19 outbreak

Total of 11 patients and 11 staff members have tested positive at Saanich Peninsula Hospital

Since the Saanich Peninsula Hospital COVID-19 outbreak was declared Dec.1, 22 people have tested positive, four of which have died. (Arnold Lim/Black Press)
A total of 17 people have tested positive from the Saanich Peninsula Hospital COVID-19 outbreak since Dec. 1. (Arnold Lim/Black Press)

Island Health records another death due to COVID-19 at Greater Victoria Hospital

Eight staff and nine patients have tested positive, two have died at Saanich Peninsula Hospital

A total of 17 people have tested positive from the Saanich Peninsula Hospital COVID-19 outbreak since Dec. 1. (Arnold Lim/Black Press)
The Port McNeill Medical Clinic has announced it will be closing its services due to a lack of support from Island Health. (Port McNeill Medical Clinic Facebook photo)

UPDATE: Port McNeill medical clinic closes then reopens as talks with Island Health reach a breaking point

“We are wanting regional equality with Port Hardy”

The Port McNeill Medical Clinic has announced it will be closing its services due to a lack of support from Island Health. (Port McNeill Medical Clinic Facebook photo)
The drive-through COVID-19 testing facility at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital set up earlier this week has started testing. (Black Press Media File)

One death confirmed in relation to COVID-19 outbreak at Greater Victoria hospital

At least 12 people infected with COVID-19 from outbreak

The drive-through COVID-19 testing facility at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital set up earlier this week has started testing. (Black Press Media File)
The Comox Strathcona Regional Hospital District is considering a reduction in its tax requisition for the coming year. Record file photo.

Comox Strathcona Regional Hospital District backs tax break in preliminary budget

Board approves a motion to reduce $4.4 million for reserves, though it must pass final budget

The Comox Strathcona Regional Hospital District is considering a reduction in its tax requisition for the coming year. Record file photo.
A new UBC study published in the Emergency Medicine Journal on Oct. 29, 2020 found fewer children are visiting ER departments at B.C. hospitals. (Children’s Hospital/Facebook)

Fewer children visiting emergency rooms in B.C. during pandemic: UBC study

The research is published in the Emergency Medicine Journal

A new UBC study published in the Emergency Medicine Journal on Oct. 29, 2020 found fewer children are visiting ER departments at B.C. hospitals. (Children’s Hospital/Facebook)
Campbell River's new hospital, July 2018

Nurse diverts opiates and falsifies records at Campbell River Hospital

Nurse facing disciplinary action for moving opiates out of the hospital

Campbell River's new hospital, July 2018
The Comox Valley campus of North Island Hospital. File photo

Comox-Strathcona still on track to pay down new hospital debt

Reserves for capital projects should increase over annual debt in 2023-24

The Comox Valley campus of North Island Hospital. File photo
St. Joseph’s Hospital. Black Press file photo

Supreme Court orders review for Island hospital pharmacist case

Issue over Human Rights Tribunal focused on how quickly complaints were filed

St. Joseph’s Hospital. Black Press file photo
The Comox Valley campus of the North Island Hospital. Black Press file photo

Long-term care need pressuring acute care in Comox Valley, Strathcona

Region could use a couple of large facilities for seniors on the north part of the Island

The Comox Valley campus of the North Island Hospital. Black Press file photo
Family finds strong sense of community at BC Children’s Hospital

Family finds strong sense of community at BC Children’s Hospital

BC Children’s Hospital Dream Lottery has now sold out

Family finds strong sense of community at BC Children’s Hospital
Dr. Aref Tabarsi, a general pathologist at the North Island Hospital Campbell River Hospital Medical Laboratory, speaks in front of about 200 people at a Town Hall event at the Sportsplex in Campbell River, B.C. on Feb. 9, 2020.

North Island healthcare advocates demand inquiry into awarding of Campbell River Hospital lab contract

An organization of North Island health care advocates demand an independent investigation…

Dr. Aref Tabarsi, a general pathologist at the North Island Hospital Campbell River Hospital Medical Laboratory, speaks in front of about 200 people at a Town Hall event at the Sportsplex in Campbell River, B.C. on Feb. 9, 2020.
The “vestibule” or “anteroom” just outside the operating room at Abbotsford Regional Hospital creates a negative-pressure space to prevent the virus from spreading to nearby areas when COVID-19 patients are undergoing surgery.

B.C. doctor designs special operating room for COVID-19 patients

Design protects patients from wound infection while preventing virus from spreading to nearby areas

The “vestibule” or “anteroom” just outside the operating room at Abbotsford Regional Hospital creates a negative-pressure space to prevent the virus from spreading to nearby areas when COVID-19 patients are undergoing surgery.
B.C. nurses are asking for more stringent social distancing measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. (Canadian Press Photo)

B.C. nurses call for mandatory shutdown of all non-essential workplaces

Open letter to provincial, federal governments says current measures are insufficient

B.C. nurses are asking for more stringent social distancing measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. (Canadian Press Photo)
The Tofino General Hospital on Saturday, March 21, 2020. (Nora O’Malley photo)

COVID-19: Tofino’s top doctor makes urgent appeal to new visitors

Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District and City of Port Alberni unite with West Coast communities.

The Tofino General Hospital on Saturday, March 21, 2020. (Nora O’Malley photo)
The North Island Hospital Campbell River campus. Image courtesy North Island Hospitals Project

Comox-Strathcona hospital board members fear Island Health will ignore opposition to lab service contract

Motion passed expresses opposition; demands Island Health explain potential impact

The North Island Hospital Campbell River campus. Image courtesy North Island Hospitals Project
(Right to left) John Bowman, North Island president, Melanie Mark, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training, Courtenay Comox MLA Ronna-Rae Leonard and Jane Murphy, previous CEO of St. Joseph’s Hospital and current chair of the NIC Board of Directors officially mark the official investment by the provincial government for NIC to renovate, lease and equip space at the former hospital Monday morning. Photo by Erin Haluschak

Sixty seats added to North Island College health-care assistant program

Additions more than double the seats for health-care assistants at NIC

  • Feb 3, 2020
(Right to left) John Bowman, North Island president, Melanie Mark, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training, Courtenay Comox MLA Ronna-Rae Leonard and Jane Murphy, previous CEO of St. Joseph’s Hospital and current chair of the NIC Board of Directors officially mark the official investment by the provincial government for NIC to renovate, lease and equip space at the former hospital Monday morning. Photo by Erin Haluschak