Media stories for the week of March 4 – March 8

March 8, 2013

B.C. doctors expose emergency room horror stories
CTV News
A group of B.C. doctors are sharing their emergency room “horror stories” to highlight issues with the public health care system.

ER doctors declare emergency in B.C. hospitals
CBC News
Doctors from across the province are expressing their unhappiness with wait times in emergency rooms. With quotes from Dr. Alec Ritchie, a doctor at VCH’s Lions Gate Hospital.

NDP name Huang as Richmond Centre candidate
Richmond News
The NDP has announced that journalist Frank Yunrong Huang as the Richmond Centre candidate. Huang is also a member of the Asian Campaign Committee of VCH’s Richmond Hospital Foundation.

Seniors get a mouthful of care
Richmond Review
Richmond recently received free dental care at VCH’s Richmond Hospital. With quotes from Belinda Boyd, leader of community engagement for Vancouver Coastal Health Richmond.

Municipalities riled up over potential coal export expansion in Surrey
Metro News
Mayor Robertson says VHC and Fraser Health should be involved in the planning of a coal port expansion at the Fraser Surrey Docks.

Reflecting on the positive a step to health
North Shore News – Letter
A former patient wrote a letter talking about the positive experience he had at VCH’s Lions Gate Hospital.

March 7, 2013

Your postal code can determine your lifespan: report
News 1130
A report suggests that where you live and how much you make can determine how long you live. VCH is referenced as a health body that is working to correct, or at least raise awareness, of some of these social determinants.

Is there a crisis in mental health?
Vancouver Sun
People suffering with mental health issues need to have more access to resources and services. The article refers to the Mood Disorders Association of B.C., which has a clinic staffed by St. Paul’s Hospital doctors.

Heart Health for Women
Coast Reporter
VCH-Coastal Medical Health Officer Paul Martiquet writes that heart disease in women is often overlooked but each year seven times more Canadian women die of heart attacks and stroke than breast cancer.

March 6, 2013

Funding, doctors needed if brain stimulation surgery to expand in B.C.
Vancouver Sun
The VGH physician who performs deep brain stimulation (DBS) to relieve the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and other neurological problems says the service should be a provincial program.

North Shore hosts 3 pot-law forums; Doctor founds Stop the Violence in wake of drug-related killings
NorthShore News
A number of experts are speaking at anti-prohibition forums on marijuana next week in North Vancouver. With quotes from Dr. Evan Wood of St. Paul’s Hospital.

Info-sharing plan ailing
The Province
A Vancouver doctor has spoken out about the deficiencies of electronic information-sharing systems in health care.

Patient user fees in Canada? Hot potato
Globe and Mail – Commentary
User fees are not a good idea for the Canadian health care system.

March 5, 2013

Dad’s long wait for new lung, and doc to transplant it
The Province
A White Rock daughter is worried that the shortage of lung-transplant doctors at VGH could cost her father his life.

B.C. Liberal government assailed over its plans to use real-estate asset sales to balance the budget
Business in Vancouver
The B.C. government is selling $775 million in real estate to help balance the budget. VCH’s Pearson-Dogwood redevelopment is among the properties listed.

Saturday, March 2: Doctor shortage most acute in dermatology and neurology
Vancouver Sun
In response to an article on a record recruitment year for doctors in B.C., the president of the BCMA’s Section of Dermatology wrote a letter explaining that there are serious doctor shortages in dermatology and neurology.

March 4, 2013

Richmond Hospital honours Milan Ilich
Richmond Review
VCH’s Richmond Hospital has renamed its Westminster Health Centre the Milan Ilich Pavilion in honour of the Milan & Maureen Ilich Foundation, which has donated $10 million to the hospital over the years.

Syringes stolen from Gastown clinic
CBC News
Syringes containing high dosages of heroin and morphine were stolen from the Providence Crosstown Clinic on Saturday.

Drug users warned after break-in at Vancouver clinic
The Province
Vancouver police are warning drug users to be cautious after syringes containing heroin and morphine were stolen on Saturday.

Rail-based transit needed along Broadway–UBC corridor: KPMG
Business Vancouver
According to a KPMG report, the Broadway-UBC corridor requires a rail-based rapid transit system to meet current and future transportation needs.

Vancouver Broadway – UBC corridor in desperate need of rapid transit according to report
Beacon News
A KPMG study has highlighted the need for a rapid transit line between UBC and Commercial Drive. It mentions VCH as being located within the discussed area.