Island Health

Staffing challenges driven by Omicron cases numbers have significantly impacted the ability of Island Health to provide safe, quality care, health authority president Kathy McNeil said. (Black Press Media file photo)

Omicron-driven staffing shortages lead to service interruptions in Island Health facilities

Elective scheduled surgeries postponed again, psychiatric emergency care potentially affected

 

Dr. Richard Stanwick speaks inside the new vaccine clinic at Archie Browning Sports Centre on Jan. 6. His retirement as Island Health chief medical health officer has been delayed by a month in the face of unprecedented COVID-19 cases. (Black Press Media file photo)

Island Health’s top doc delays retirement, citing Omicron wave

Chief medical health officer Dr. Richard Stanwick to remain in role until Jan. 31

 

Langford resident Shelley Robinson says a lack of callback for a COVID-19 PCR test appointment from Island Health has left her feeling scared and unsupported. (Courtesy of Shelley Robinson)

Cystic fibrosis patient critical of Island Health COVID testing process

Woman receives no callback for test appoinment after 5 days, despite vulnerable health status

 

A COVID-19 testing centre in Victoria, pictured in October. In a new change, residents who miss calls from Island Health’s COVID booking centre will no longer be contacted again to schedule a test. (Tom Fletcher/Black Press Media)

Island Health halts second calls for COVID test booking, cites ‘unprecedented demand’

Call centre employees would previously contact residents a second time to book virus test

A COVID-19 testing centre in Victoria, pictured in October. In a new change, residents who miss calls from Island Health’s COVID booking centre will no longer be contacted again to schedule a test. (Tom Fletcher/Black Press Media)
Sara Maksymowicz worries about the effect of cuts to non-emergency care on the South Island for adults facing eating disorders. (Courtesy Sara Maksymowicz)

‘A system of failures:’ Adult eating disorder services quietly dropped on south Island

Non-emergency resources have been a lifeline for Greater Victoria residents

Sara Maksymowicz worries about the effect of cuts to non-emergency care on the South Island for adults facing eating disorders. (Courtesy Sara Maksymowicz)
The Omicron variant has been identified in a COVID-19 cluster associated with University of Victoria students. (Photo courtesy of UVic)

UVic COVID-19 cluster climbs to 124, including 4 listed as the Omicron variant

University moved all fall semester exams online Sunday amid rising case numbers

The Omicron variant has been identified in a COVID-19 cluster associated with University of Victoria students. (Photo courtesy of UVic)
A new mail-in program initiated by the University of Victoria allows Vancouver Island drug users in centres without drug-testing facilities to send in samples to be rapid-tested for toxic substances. (Photo courtesy Vancouver Island University)

Vancouver Islanders can now have opioids, other drugs lab-checked by mail

UVic-led drug checking project provides anonymous online results within a day of receiving sample

A new mail-in program initiated by the University of Victoria allows Vancouver Island drug users in centres without drug-testing facilities to send in samples to be rapid-tested for toxic substances. (Photo courtesy Vancouver Island University)
Dr. Charmaine Enns, the North Island medical health officer, recently addressed pandemic concerns during an online meeting with parents of schoolchildren. (Comox Valley Record file photo)

Household and family clusters blamed for surge in North Island COVID-19 cases

North Island Medical Health Officer speaks out on ‘uptick,’ urges vaccination

Dr. Charmaine Enns, the North Island medical health officer, recently addressed pandemic concerns during an online meeting with parents of schoolchildren. (Comox Valley Record file photo)
Victoria’s Royal Jubilee Hospital is one of the Island Health facilities that has taken in patients from Northern Health over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Black Press Media file photo)

Transfers impact Island Health COVID-19 death and hospitalization figures

New case numbers, however, are tracked by the home address of the patient

Victoria’s Royal Jubilee Hospital is one of the Island Health facilities that has taken in patients from Northern Health over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Black Press Media file photo)
Island Health is launching an international search for Dr. Richard Stanwick’s replacement. (Black Press Media file photo)

Vancouver Island’s chief medical health officer announces retirement

Island Health announces Dr. Richard Stanwick’s year-end retirement after more than 25 years

Island Health is launching an international search for Dr. Richard Stanwick’s replacement. (Black Press Media file photo)
Starting Nov. 9, acute care facility visitors will need to show proof of full vaccination. (Black Press Media file photo)

Island Health, province to require proof of vaccination for acute care visitors

Children under 12, those with medical exemptions excluded from requirement

Starting Nov. 9, acute care facility visitors will need to show proof of full vaccination. (Black Press Media file photo)
Thursday’s total of 114 new cases topped the previous record of 107 new COVID-19 cases for Island Health, set on Oct. 5. (Courtesy of Island Health)

Island Health hits new record for single-day COVID-19 cases

Vancouver Island new caseload nearly doubles previous days in Thursday report

Thursday’s total of 114 new cases topped the previous record of 107 new COVID-19 cases for Island Health, set on Oct. 5. (Courtesy of Island Health)
Island Health declared an outbreak that occurred at Victoria Chinatown Care Centre in September is now over. (Black Press Media file photo)

COVID-19 outbreak at Victoria long-term care home declared over

Victoria Chinatown Care Centre saw two cases on Sept. 19, no other cases since

Island Health declared an outbreak that occurred at Victoria Chinatown Care Centre in September is now over. (Black Press Media file photo)
Health-care workers outside Nanaimo Regional General Hospital are thanked during a car cruise last year. (News Bulletin file photo)

OPINION: This Thanksgiving, let’s thank health-care workers

Island Health launches website encouraging people to leave messages of appreciation

  • Oct 6, 2021
Health-care workers outside Nanaimo Regional General Hospital are thanked during a car cruise last year. (News Bulletin file photo)
Island Health says tents are a far cry from a proper isolation space. (Black Press Media file photo)

COVID-19 cases confirmed inside Greater Victoria supportive housing community

Island Health officials call for the return of proper isolation spaces in hotels and shelters

Island Health says tents are a far cry from a proper isolation space. (Black Press Media file photo)
A Parksville resident was alarmed to find needles left in a forested area near Springwood Elementary School in 2019. (Submitted photo)

Parksville mayor jabs Island Health for needle issue inaction

Mayne tells Island Health officials problem is getting worse

A Parksville resident was alarmed to find needles left in a forested area near Springwood Elementary School in 2019. (Submitted photo)
The province on Tuesday announced that new clinics in Victoria and Nanaimo will aim to better support people with memory loss and those concerned about cognitive changes. (Black Press Media File photo)

Memory clinics opening in Victoria, Nanaimo aim to improve assessment and care

Team of medical workers will support those facing cognitive problems, dementia

The province on Tuesday announced that new clinics in Victoria and Nanaimo will aim to better support people with memory loss and those concerned about cognitive changes. (Black Press Media File photo)
A nurse prepares a vaccine dose at an immunization clinic for long-term care workers in Nanaimo. (Island Health photo)

Vancouver Island breaks record for COVID-19 cases

Island Health reported 102 new cases, 700 active cases on Sept. 17

A nurse prepares a vaccine dose at an immunization clinic for long-term care workers in Nanaimo. (Island Health photo)
Family, friends and supporters gathered for a quiet memorial behind the Port Alberni Friendship Center on Sept. 1, 2021 to remember Russell Seeber, whose life ended tragically at the same location a few days earlier. A cross has been erected as a physical memorial. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

‘Helpful’, ‘lost’: friends, family recall victim of Port Alberni tree tragedy

Advocates say Russell Seeber’s death underlines need for 24-hour crisis response

Family, friends and supporters gathered for a quiet memorial behind the Port Alberni Friendship Center on Sept. 1, 2021 to remember Russell Seeber, whose life ended tragically at the same location a few days earlier. A cross has been erected as a physical memorial. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Close to 75 protesters with signs marched between FIr Park Village and Echo Village long-term care homes in Port Alberni on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021 to advocate for better conditions and management at the facilities. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Supporters protest conditions at two Port Alberni care homes as grievances pile up

Staff shortages are compromising care, says Echo Village resident

Close to 75 protesters with signs marched between FIr Park Village and Echo Village long-term care homes in Port Alberni on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021 to advocate for better conditions and management at the facilities. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)