Media stories for the week of Feb 18 – Feb 22

February 22, 2013

Fallopian tubes: breeding beds for babies AND ovarian cancer. Should they be removed for cancer prevention? BC says yes.
Vancouver Sun
A VCH/BC Cancer initiative has found that removing fallopian tubes reduces cancer risk in women.

West Vancouver to cut water to 16 homes
North Shore News
The District of West Vancouver is cutting off the raw water supply to Montizambert Wynd this August. Montizambert has been subject to a boil-water advisory since 1996.

February 21, 2013

Renovated Rainier Hotel’s 40-bed facility losing some funding dollars
Global BC (story revised to change incorrect information)
A women’s support and treatment program is losing some of its funding from Health Canada.

Hospital provides great care
Richmond Review – Letter to Editor
ARichmondHospital patient was “very impressed” by the care he recently received.

West Vancouver gives ultimatum to boil-water community
Northshore Outlook
West Vancouver has given an ultimatum to the community of Montizambert Wynd to comply with provincial water standards.

Abbotsford councillor questions health authority equity
Vancouver Sun
Abbotsford councillor John Smith says there disparity in per-capita funding is too much between VCH and Fraser Health.

Trauma worsening in backcountry
Pique Newsmagazine
VCH is criticized for not funding upgrades to the helicopter landing pad in Whistler.

February 20, 2013

Formerly homeless study participants can remain in their Vancouver homes
Vancouver Sun
The federal and provincial governments have reached a deal to allow the participants of the At Home/Chez Soi homelessness study to remain in their apartments for another year.

Former prostitutes tell their story in Rainier documentary
Vancouver Courier
A new documentary looks at the lives affected by Rainier Women’s Treatment program.

Renovated Rainier Hotel’s 40-bed facility is closing after government cuts
Global BC (video clip)
The Rainier Hotel, a support a treatment program for women, has lost its funding from Health Canada.

New STOP HIV guidelines include gay men
Xtra!
The BC government has included gay men’s needs in its Stop HIV/AIDS program guidelines.

Private sector spending in Canadian health care: the surprising facts on Budget Day
Vancouver Sun – Pamela Fayerman Blog
On January 1, 2014, BC health care premiums will increase by four per cent.

Smoking banned outside all Surrey hospitals
Vancouver Sun
Surrey has passed a bylaw prohibiting smoking at all of city’s hospitals. VCH was asked if it had similar plans to work with the City of Vancouver.

February 19, 2013

B.C. women’s centre fights for funding
CBC News (video clip)
In December, Health Canada pulled $5 million in funding for a Downtown Eastside women’s addiction centre in the Rainier Hotel. Critics say VCH should pick up the funding.

$520,000 raised for specialized scanner at Mount Saint Joseph
Vancouver Sun
A fundraiser has raised $520,000 for a 3D scanner for Mount Saint Joseph Hospital’s breast centre.

Kelowna firefighters help fund new B.C. burn centre
Kelowna Capital News
Kelowna firefighters donated $100,000 to a new burn centre in Vancouver.

February 18, 2013

Dix promises review of pay parking at hospitals
Surrey North Delta Leader
NDP leader Adrian Dix is promising to evaluate the policy of charging patients and visitors for hospital parking in the Lower Mainland.

NDP wants to review policy on paid parking at hospitals
News 1130
The BC NDP party wants to revisit policy on parking at Lower Mainland hospitals.

Richmond firefighters show big heart with $100,000 donation
Richmond Review
Richmond firefighters are donating $100,000 to the new Burn Fund Centre, which will provide treatment for burn and trauma patients.