April 19, 2013
Isolated by an alternative reality
Vancouver Sun
The announcement of a new mental health centre at VGH has resonated with the parents of a mentally ill child.
Cornea transplant changes B.C. girl’s life
CTV News (video clip)
A Port Coquitlam teen’s life was changed after a cornea transplant and she appeals for more donors to the BC Eye Bank at VGH.
‘Peer-to-peer harm-reduction’ group launched in 1997
The Province
The VCH-funded Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users is one of the word’s largest peer-to-peer harm-reduction networks. With quotes from VCH spokesperson Anna Marie D’Angelo.
VANDU allowed to skip permit process
The Province – Column
Normal development permits don’t apply to the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users (VANDU). With mention of VCH funding for VANDU.
Hospice forum needs your voice
Coast Reporter
The Sunshine Coast Hospice Society is hosting a community forum to get public feedback as well as educate the public about hospices. With mention of VCH’s Shorncliffe Intermediate Care Facility.
Doctors prescribed addiction training
Vancouver Courier
Doctors trained in addiction medicine can provide better health services.
James Bond: a Surrey surgeon on a daring mission
Vancouver Sun
A Surrey surgeon has streamlined the process for lung cancer patients in an attempt to improve survival rates. With mention of VGH diagnosis-to-treatment times.
April 18, 2013
No cause for meningitis alarm in Vancouver, officials say
Xtra!
After three gay California men died from meningitis, Vancouver health officials say there is not cause for alarm locally. With quotes from VCH spokesperson Anna Marie D’Angelo.
Health care workers should get flu shot
Vancouver Sun – Editorial
Physicians should lead by example and get the flu shot each year.
Last-minute Liberal decision caters to nurses, ignores costs
Vancouver Sun – Column
The legislation to bring licensed practical nurses under the same bargaining structure as the B.C. Nurses Union was rushed and does not make fiscal sense.
Uproar over Health Council’s demise isn’t worth it
Globe and Mail – Op-Ed
The Health Council of Canada is overrated has never played an important role in health care.
Blind to doctor fee
The Province – Letter
In response to an article on the high charge amounts for eye surgery, a reader said a high number of pre-op visits are also creating more fees.
Clinic opens
Peak Online
VCH has opened a Powell River clinic to help the growing number of people who are without a family doctor.
April 17, 2013
Former head of VGH emergency department led Boston bombing trauma team
Vancouver Sun
The former head of the emergency department at Vancouver General Hospital was the doctor who led the trauma team in a Boston hospital treating patients injured by Monday’s bomb blasts.
Too many ER visits over reactions to prescriptions
Vancouver Sun – Letter
In response to the publication of three health-related articles on April 11, a reader found this mix of subject content ironic.
Wait times for some hospitals now online
Nanaimo Daily News (also appeared in the Alberni Valley Times)
People needing to use one of five Metro Vancouver hospital emergency departments can check online for wait times. With quotes from Dr. Eric Grafstein, head of regional emergency medicine.
Immunization awareness
Coast Reporter
Despite some small risks, immunization has many health benefits. Written by Medical Health Officer for VCH Dr. Paul Martiquet.
Spring into injuries — not!
Canadian Health
There are many ways to avoid injuries when doing spring chores. With quotes from Darcie Goodman, a registered nurse who heads the injury prevention program at VCH.
Sometimes, life imitates art
The Province
The director of a reality show on VGH’s emergency department experienced a “bizarre mirror experience” and nearly died last month.
UBC takes fraud seriously
Vancouver Courier – Letter
In response to an article on an audit finding high fraud risk in VCH and UBC research funds, a UBC staff member said UBC is taking the issue very seriously.
Gay men account for 95 percent of new cases as syphilis rates soar in BC
Xtra!
Gay and bisexual men are being urged to get screened for syphilis as infection rates hit an historic high in BC. With quotes from Dr. Reka Gustafson, director of communicable disease control for VCH.
Metro Vancouver HIV and AIDS activist Ken Buchanan dies
Georgia Straight
A well-known HIV and AIDS activist has passed away.
St. Mary’s Hospital Addition Opens In Sechelt
HealthCare Design
The design of the St. Mary’s expansion was influenced by the Sechelt Indian Band.
‘No Coal’ rally set for Sunday
New Westminster News Leader
A rally against the proposal to build a coal export terminal will be held on Sunday. With mention of a consultation request from VCH.
April 16, 2013
Emergency room wait times online
The Province
An ER doctor at St. Paul’s Hospital has developed a tool to allow patients to check the average wait times at five hospital emergency departments in Metro Vancouver.
Other countries do health care better, cheaper
Vancouver Sun — Opinion
The performance of Canada’s health care system does not reflect its high level of spending in the sector.
B.C. nurses brought together under new legislation
Globe and Mail
New legislation has brought licensed practical nurses under the same bargaining structure as the B.C. Nurses Union.
Vision docs’ value in eye of the beholder
The Province – Editorial
The amount billed by some ophthalmologists is too high.
April 15, 2013
Health Minister MacDiarmid enacts controversial nursing reorganization
Vancouver Sun
The health minister has enacted legislation allowing licensed practical nurses to be in the same bargaining structure as registered nurses.
ER wait times at five Metro Vancouver hospitals available on line
Times Colonist (Source: CP, also appeared in Winnipeg Free Press)
VCH and PHC have launched a website that displays the wait times of five Metro Vancouver hospital emergency departments.
Dashboards for Vancouver emergency room wait times updated every 5 minutes
Beacon News
A new website launched by VCH and PHC shows real-time emergency wait times at five Metro hospitals.
Emergency room waits posted online for 5 Metro Vancouver hospitals
Metro News
Five local hospitals have posted a new tool to see emergency times around Metro Vancouver. VCH and PHC teamed up to create the site.
High-tech solutions not the answer to ER wait times, experts say
CBC News
Being able to check emergency wait room times online is not a perfect solution.
Is this the future of hospitals in Canada?
CBC News
Canada is lagging behind in the digital world when it comes health care.
‘Undercover’ hospital CEO refuses to bury bad news
CBC News
An Ontario hospital CEO supports a recent CBC report on Canadian hospitals.
Million-dollar doctors: Rising payments have B.C. government determined to save $230 million
The Province
The B.C. government is looking to reduce the amount it pays doctors in the province.
Health-care system stellar
The Province – Letter
A former patient says he received “stellar medical treatment” recently.
Opinion: The ‘silver tsunami’ is already here
Vancouver Sun – Op-Ed
The BC Care Providers Association says services providers maintain quality in the health care system while keeping costs down.
Documentary: Disability activist fights for right to manage his own care
CBC Radio
Paul Caune, an advocate for the disabled and former George Pearson Centre resident, wants more control of his own care.
Research shows women more likely to get sub-par care
Globe and Mail
British Columbian researchers have found that women with HIV-AIDS are more likely than men to receive sub-standard care and treatment.
What if your pain never stopped?
North Shore News
The health care system needs more focus on chronic pain treatment. With quotes from Dr. Stephen Wiseman, a St. Paul’s Hospital physician.
Educating young doctors for tomorrow
Richmond Review
Richmond Hospital’s teaching program is helping train doctors for the future. With quotes from Richmond Hospital doctor Dr. Nam Nguyen.
Weight control or well-being?
Coast Reporter
Weight control has a direct link to overall well-being. Written by Medical Health Officer for VCH Dr. Paul Martiquet.