» Across VCH

Mark your calendar for Thursday, January 17, 2013 and register on CCRS for the launch of the new True North Forum, replacing the former Strategic Implementation Forum (SIF).

Approximately 100 people attended a community event co-hosted by the Aboriginal Health Strategic Initiatives (AHSI) department with the Public Health Association of BC. The event entitled ‘New Visions of Health Care in Aboriginal Communities: Integrating Primary Care and Public Health’ was kindly sponsored by The Canadian Institutes for Health Research and was held on the […]

Congratulations to Dr. Douglas McGregor, Regional Medical Leader for Palliative Care for Vancouver Coastal Health, who was awarded the Community Care Award by BC Cancer Agency on November 30 2012.

Doctors and nurses at four of our hospitals have diagnosed more than 30 patients with HIV in the first year of an HIV testing pilot. Starting in October 2011, staff at St. Paul’s, Vancouver General, Mount Saint Joseph and UBC hospitals began offering HIV tests to patients upon admission when other blood tests are ordered. Prior to this pilot, usually only those at known high risk for HIV, such as those who use intravenous drugs, were offered the test.

This pilot has shown that routinely recommending an HIV test upon admission to a hospital is effective at diagnosing people with HIV and linking people to care.

More than 5,000 patients in Vancouver hospitals had an HIV test between October 2011 and October 2012. Testing has been well received by patients. Approximately 94% of patients accepted the test when asked by their physician or health care provider.

No, this isn’t a singles ad, but we are looking for men, men who live on the North Shore to complete the VCH North Shore Wellness survey. Male responses have been low so far. Overall, 2600 North Shore residents have completed the survey. We’re halfway to our goal!

We still need both men and women who live on the North Shore (this includes North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Lions Bay, Horseshoe Bay and Bowen Island) to take 10 minutes to do the survey. You could win an iPad, Grouse Mountain passes, or a grocery gift card. And if you refer people who live on the North Shore, you can win an iPod. Simply tell them to mention your name when they compete the survey and you’ll be entered in the draw. Take the survey now at www.vch.ca/northshoresurvey

Effective December 17, 2012 VCH Finance will be moving to the 3rd Floor at 590 West 8th Avenue.

The holiday season, while a time of celebration for many, can bring extra stressors that we don’t have at other times of the year. Family or relationship conflicts may be intensified because of family or social events. Commonly held myths about stress may keep us from recognizing the effects of stress and seeking help. Know the facts.

Former and current VCH Public Health staff pulled in a great haul for local charities through donating their incredible homemade crafts. Jill Bert, Eduarda Donovan, Tamsin Morgana, Linda Poirier, Winnie Price, Margot Smythe, Rob Stewart, Lee Tidmarsh, Hannah Varto and I knitted, sewed, glued and folded our way to raise nearly $800. The funds raised were donated to the Pacific Post-Partum Support Society of BC, Frontier Animal Society, S.A.I.NT. (Senior Animals In Need Today), ACT BC (Autism Community Training) and the Children’s Heart Network of BC.

We thank everyone so much who contributed their work and especially those who bought it! It was fabulous to have a real KS (Knitting Star), Hannah Varto, join the usual suspects this year with her stylish and useful array of woven (and sewn) art, as well as Jill Bert, paper crafter extraordinaire. Crafts for Causes 2013 will take place from noon to 13h30 in the Epi Centre meeting room on the 8th floor of 601 West Broadway on Thursday, November 21st, 2013. Save the date now!

Items submitted between December 21 and January 9 will be published in the January 10, 2013 editions.

The VGH Smoking Cessation Clinic is available to both patients and staff who are struggling to quit smoking. The clinic offers an evidence- based approach delivered by a physician or nurse trained in tobacco dependence treatment. Referrals are accepted from throughout the out-patient system but are not mandatory…..clients can self-refer! Simply call 604-875-4800 (and select option 2) to make an appointment.