Healthcare

The paramedics’ union is pushing the province for changes to address staffing shortages plaguing rural communities, said union president Troy Clifford. (Photo courtesy of Ambulance Paramedics of BC)

‘It’s a broken system,’ say emergency responders about B.C.’s rural paramedic shortages

Quadra Island had no local paramedics available for 11 days during the summer and fall

  • Oct 23, 2022
The paramedics’ union is pushing the province for changes to address staffing shortages plaguing rural communities, said union president Troy Clifford. (Photo courtesy of Ambulance Paramedics of BC)
Black Press Media file

North Island emergency rooms continue to face overnight closures

Island Health is working on recruitment and strategies to secure additional nursing coverage

Black Press Media file
Health Minister Adrian Dix speaks in the press theatre at the legislature in Victoria, B.C., on March 10, 2022. On Oct. 19, he tabled new health legislation that would provide stronger oversite of health professions in B.C. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

B.C. tables new legislation promising ‘stronger oversight’ of health professionals

New act would create single oversight body, independent discipline tribunal

Health Minister Adrian Dix speaks in the press theatre at the legislature in Victoria, B.C., on March 10, 2022. On Oct. 19, he tabled new health legislation that would provide stronger oversite of health professions in B.C. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
A ambulance drives past the emergency entrance of Vancouver General Hospital in Vancouver on April 9, 2021. B.C. hospital workers are being trained on how to respond to active attacker situations as of October 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Run, hide, fight: B.C. hospital staff being trained for active attacker scenarios

Training for ‘code silver’ underway in 3 health authorities so far

A ambulance drives past the emergency entrance of Vancouver General Hospital in Vancouver on April 9, 2021. B.C. hospital workers are being trained on how to respond to active attacker situations as of October 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Island Health public forum was held in Chemainus Thursday. (Photo by Don Bodger)

No clear answer for keeping Chemainus Urgent Care Centre fully operational

Island Health addresses pressing concern in the community, but without a timeline

Island Health public forum was held in Chemainus Thursday. (Photo by Don Bodger)
(Black Press Media Creative)

54 new family doctors sign on with B.C.’s incentive package

Offer received criticism back in June for failing to cover true costs of being a doctor

(Black Press Media Creative)
Pharmacists in B.C. will be able to prescribe certain medications beginning in spring 2023, under the province’s new Health Human Resources Strategy. (Credit: Unsplash)

B.C.’s new 5-year health-care strategy promises to breakdown barriers, expand powers

Pharmacist prescribing, reduced hurdles for international grads, more medical seats among promises

Pharmacists in B.C. will be able to prescribe certain medications beginning in spring 2023, under the province’s new Health Human Resources Strategy. (Credit: Unsplash)
Adrian Dix, B.C. Minister of Health. (Union of B.C. Municipalities photo)

PODCAST: UBCM hosts ‘reimagining health care in B.C.’ session

Today in B.C.: Panel offers transformative solutions to province’s health care problems

Adrian Dix, B.C. Minister of Health. (Union of B.C. Municipalities photo)
Family confirmed that Sheri Onstein’s medevac plane was landing just before noon on Friday. (Submitted photo)

B.C. senior in serious condition finally flown out for treatment

Medevac delayed after post surgery infection

Family confirmed that Sheri Onstein’s medevac plane was landing just before noon on Friday. (Submitted photo)
Rebecca Onstein with her mom at the Mills Memorial Hospital in Terrace on Sept. 22. (Submitted photo)

‘No place will take her’: No help for B.C. senior in “life or limb” condition

“If they don’t get my mom out she’ll lose her leg or she will die. And that’s not fair,” says daughter

Rebecca Onstein with her mom at the Mills Memorial Hospital in Terrace on Sept. 22. (Submitted photo)
A new primary and urgent care centre has opened in Greater Victoria. (Black Press Media file photo)

Urgent and primary care centre opens in Victoria’s Gorge neighbourhood

Site will have a host of health-care professionals offering a suite of services

A new primary and urgent care centre has opened in Greater Victoria. (Black Press Media file photo)
B.C. health minister Adrian Dix speaks on the healthcare crisis at the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention in Whistler Sept. 13. (Credit: Union of B.C. Municipalities)

Dix offers words but no prescription as B.C. municipalities demand healthcare solutions

Mayors, councillors gathered in Whistler for Union of B.C. Municipalities convention

B.C. health minister Adrian Dix speaks on the healthcare crisis at the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention in Whistler Sept. 13. (Credit: Union of B.C. Municipalities)
Nurses tend to a COVID-19 patient in the Intensive Care Unit at the Bluewater Health Hospital in Sarnia, Ont., on Tuesday, January 25, 2022. Nearly two and a half years since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, what started as a challenge related to high infection rates overloading hospitals has evolved into an acute labour challenge.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
Nurses tend to a COVID-19 patient in the Intensive Care Unit at the Bluewater Health Hospital in Sarnia, Ont., on Tuesday, January 25, 2022. Nearly two and a half years since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, what started as a challenge related to high infection rates overloading hospitals has evolved into an acute labour challenge.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
New germ disinfection pods allow Fraser Health hospitals to disinfect equipment with UV light. (Fraser Health photo)

Robots using UV light to kill viruses and bacteria in Fraser Valley hospitals

Robots can disinfect rooms in as fast as 20 minutes and have done nearly 62,000 rooms in 21 months

  • Aug 29, 2022
New germ disinfection pods allow Fraser Health hospitals to disinfect equipment with UV light. (Fraser Health photo)
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.

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
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

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)
From left to right: Logan, Jason, Rosemary and Michelle Smith revisited Jeneece Place after the family had two stints at the house when both children were born prematurely. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Families and Victoria General nurses reunited at Jeneece Place

Annual event allows families who had children in the neonatal unit to reconnect with hospital staff

From left to right: Logan, Jason, Rosemary and Michelle Smith revisited Jeneece Place after the family had two stints at the house when both children were born prematurely. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
(Black Press Media file photo)

New capital bylaw supports Greater Victoria’s health care infrastructure

$6.7 million will be invested in minor capital and equipment projects

(Black Press Media file photo)
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 family doctor shortage

Those with, without family physicians converge on Health Ministry office downtown

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)
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. On Aug. 3, he and his team met with Premier John Horgan to discuss a pilot project. (Black Press Media file photo)

Colwood community healthcare group has ‘hopeful reception’ with premier

Proposal calls for more collaborative approach to healthcare planning

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. On Aug. 3, he and his team met with Premier John Horgan to discuss a pilot project. (Black Press Media file photo)
Pop-up banner image