Island Health

Sarah Fennell, along with several Greater Victoria parents, is speaking out after paying a $1,100 deposit for a daycare spot. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)

Saanich daycare kerfuffle reveals dire state of childcare in Greater Victoria

Non-refundable deposit not returned once parents learned of provider’s criminal history

 

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

 

Island Health’s new chief medical health officer Dr. Reka Gustafson outside Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

Island Health’s new top medical officer eyes toxic drug crisis, health inequities

Dr. Reka Gustafson speaks on her goals to recover from the pandemic and more

 

Dr. Prean Armogam is speaking out on the North Island health-care crisis. (Prean Armogam photo)

North Island doctor speaks out on the region’s unfolding health-care crisis

Dr. Armogam acknowledged there is a serious staffing shortage currently going on across Canada

Dr. Prean Armogam is speaking out on the North Island health-care crisis. (Prean Armogam photo)
Signs pinned up by Moms Stop the Harm members outside Victoria’s Fairmont Empress hotel, where Canada’s premiers were meeting on July 12. An increase in toxic drug poisonings prompted Island Health to extend an overdose advisory for Greater Victoria on Aug. 24. (Black Press Media file photo)

Overdose advisory extended in Greater Victoria

Island Health says there’s an increased risk of drug poisonings in the region

Signs pinned up by Moms Stop the Harm members outside Victoria’s Fairmont Empress hotel, where Canada’s premiers were meeting on July 12. An increase in toxic drug poisonings prompted Island Health to extend an overdose advisory for Greater Victoria on Aug. 24. (Black Press Media file photo)
Island Health has warned that the region’s drug overdose incidents are increasing. It’s recommended that users get their drugs tested at Substance UVic, use a safe injection site, carry naloxone, and stagger their use with a friend. (File - Shutterstock.com)

A new highly toxic drug mix hasn’t emerged in Sooke yet, say Mounties

Island Health urges users to take precautions

Island Health has warned that the region’s drug overdose incidents are increasing. It’s recommended that users get their drugs tested at Substance UVic, use a safe injection site, carry naloxone, and stagger their use with a friend. (File - Shutterstock.com)
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)
Urologist Dr. Nathan Hoag demonstrates the use of a ureteroscope inside an operating room at Royal Jubilee Hospital. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)

Greater Victoria hospitals ‘emerge stronger’ after COVID-19 pandemic

Victoria Hospitals Foundation hits milestone in campaign to improve care on Island

Urologist Dr. Nathan Hoag demonstrates the use of a ureteroscope inside an operating room at Royal Jubilee Hospital. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)
This 2003 electron microscope image made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows mature, oval-shaped monkeypox virions, left, and spherical immature virions, right, obtained from a sample of human skin associated with the 2003 prairie dog outbreak. (Cynthia S. Goldsmith, Russell Regner/CDC via AP)

Island Health offering monkeypox vaccines to those who are most at risk

Appointments available in Nanaimo, Victoria and Comox Valley the week of July 25

This 2003 electron microscope image made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows mature, oval-shaped monkeypox virions, left, and spherical immature virions, right, obtained from a sample of human skin associated with the 2003 prairie dog outbreak. (Cynthia S. Goldsmith, Russell Regner/CDC via AP)
Port McNeill Hospital. (Gazette file photo)

Primary health care `collapsing’ in B.C. rural communities, critics say

ER closures on northern Vancouver Island called a symptom of larger problem

Port McNeill Hospital. (Gazette file photo)
Blue-green algae can cause health issues in humans and animals if ingested. The Capital Regional District has issued an alert for a bloom in Wrigglesworth Lake northwest of Tunnel Hill on the Malahat. (Photo courtesy Dorothy Chambers)

Toxic algae bloom at Wrigglesworth Lake near Malahat, CRD reports

Authorities urge people and their animals to avoid the water until declared safe

Blue-green algae can cause health issues in humans and animals if ingested. The Capital Regional District has issued an alert for a bloom in Wrigglesworth Lake northwest of Tunnel Hill on the Malahat. (Photo courtesy Dorothy Chambers)
This 2003 electron microscope image made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows mature, oval-shaped monkeypox virions, left, and spherical immature virions, right, obtained from a sample of human skin associated with the 2003 prairie dog outbreak. On Wednesday, May 18, 2022, Portuguese health authorities confirmed five cases of monkeypox in young men, marking an unusual outbreak in Europe of a disease typically limited to Africa. (Cynthia S. Goldsmith, Russell Regner/CDC via AP)

Health officials confirm 1st case of monkeypox in Vancouver Island region

Risk to general public ‘very low’

This 2003 electron microscope image made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows mature, oval-shaped monkeypox virions, left, and spherical immature virions, right, obtained from a sample of human skin associated with the 2003 prairie dog outbreak. On Wednesday, May 18, 2022, Portuguese health authorities confirmed five cases of monkeypox in young men, marking an unusual outbreak in Europe of a disease typically limited to Africa. (Cynthia S. Goldsmith, Russell Regner/CDC via AP)
Vancouver Island residents who became mothers between March 2020 and March 2022 are encouraged to take part in a study into their experiences. (Black Press Media file photo)

Study explores Vancouver Island’s new mothers’ pandemic experiences

Master’s student diving into where mothers found resiliency, community

Vancouver Island residents who became mothers between March 2020 and March 2022 are encouraged to take part in a study into their experiences. (Black Press Media file photo)
Ucluelet’s medical clinic will stay open thanks to support from Island Health. (Westerly file photo)

‘Sigh of relief’ in Ucluelet as Island Health steps in to keep only health clinic open

Health authority will contribute to overhead costs, develop new primary care plan for the region

Ucluelet’s medical clinic will stay open thanks to support from Island Health. (Westerly file photo)
Island Heath has issued a drug poisoning/overdose advisory for Greater Victoria and recommends strategies, including the use of naloxone, when experiencing or encountering an overdose. (Black Press Media file photo)

Island Health issues drug poisoning, overdose advisory for Greater Victoria

Anyone using opioids, stimulants faces increased risk from injection, inhalation

Island Heath has issued a drug poisoning/overdose advisory for Greater Victoria and recommends strategies, including the use of naloxone, when experiencing or encountering an overdose. (Black Press Media file photo)
Marjike McDonald, the 16-year-old founder of Home is Where the Heart Is, receives her Island Health Community Service Award on May 3. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

Man in mental illness recovery, teenage foundation founder earn Island Health awards

Recipients’ work helps articulate stigma in community, says Island Health director

Marjike McDonald, the 16-year-old founder of Home is Where the Heart Is, receives her Island Health Community Service Award on May 3. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)
The View Royal Surgical Centre will be acquired by Island Health. (Google Maps)

Island Health acquires private surgical centres in View Royal, Nanaimo

Move expected to add 4,600 surgeries, endoscopies annually on the Island

The View Royal Surgical Centre will be acquired by Island Health. (Google Maps)
This portrait of early provincial health officer Dr. Henry Esson Young, painted by Mary Riter Hamilton in the 1910s, was recently acquired by the Royal BC Museum. (Courtesy of Royal BC Museum)

Royal BC Museum receives portrait of 1920s public health officer

Dr. Henry Esson Young is regarded today as the Dr. Bonnie Henry of his time

This portrait of early provincial health officer Dr. Henry Esson Young, painted by Mary Riter Hamilton in the 1910s, was recently acquired by the Royal BC Museum. (Courtesy of Royal BC Museum)
Island Health medical health officer and avid cyclist, Dr. Mike Benusic, speaks during the April 20 kickoff event for Go By Bike Week. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

Greater Victoria bike infrastructure applauded at Spring Go By Bike Week launch

Cyclists riding to work between May 30 and June 5 eligible for bike week prizes

Island Health medical health officer and avid cyclist, Dr. Mike Benusic, speaks during the April 20 kickoff event for Go By Bike Week. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)