Media stories for the week of April 22 – April 26

April 26, 2013

Taking it to the streets: Mobile, community-based outreach tries to stop the revolving door of arrest and treatment
Vancouver Sun
Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) and UBC Hospital (UBCH) are going out into the community to treat people with mental illnesses. With quotes from Dr. Hiram Mok, a psychiatrist and medical manager with VGH and UBCH’s Acute Home Based Treatment team.

Getting closer to a cure for what ails health care|
Globe and Mail – Commentary
The Canadian health care system is slowly making progress.

The power of volunteers
Coast Reporter – Opinion
Volunteers enrich lives and make communities a better place. With mention of the volunteers at St. Mary’s Hospital and VCH programs.

April 25, 2013

No plan for NDP to cut fees for care homes
Times Colonist – Opinion
The NDP party has no plans in its election platform to cut funding for residential care homes.

Richmond Hospital Healthcare Auxiliary wins the Constellation Award
Richmond Review
The Richmond Hospital Healthcare Auxiliary group was recognized with a Constellation Award at the Volunteers Are Stars gala.

Teck’s ‘legacy CEO’ David Thompson tackles health funding
Globe and Mail
Former-VCH Chair David Thompson talks about eliminating VCH’s deficit.

April 24, 2013

Port aims for quick decision on Surrey coal terminal
Peace Arch News
After more public consultations are made, the decision to build a new coal terminal will be made quickly. The story mentions that Fraser and Vancouver Coastal medical health officers aren’t expected to give input on the merits of the Surrey coal terminal.

BC Organ Donation program returns full vision to teenage girl
Beacon News
There are more than 400 British Columbians waiting for a corneal transplant. With mention of VCH’s Eye Bank of British Columbia.

Volunteers given star treatment
Richmond Review
Richmond honoured its volunteers with a gala dinner. The Richmond Hospital Healthcare Auxiliary was among those recognized.

Man jailed for Lions Gate Hospital assault
North Shore News
A man who assaulted a woman at Lions Gate Hospital last summer has been sent to jail for 10 months.

April 23, 2013

Comox Valley patients not getting best health care
Comox Valley Record – Letter
Residents of Comox Valley do not have access to the same level of health services found in the rest of the province. With comparison to shoulder surgery wait times in the VCH.

B.C. scientists to take part in national organ transplant research program
Vancouver Sun
B.C. researchers will be involved in a new national organ transplant program.

B.C. NDP rolls out modest plan for health reform
Vancouver Sun
Having already spent much of the $2 billion his party had allotted for new promises this election, New Democratic Party leader Adrian Dix rolled out a very modest plan for health reform with policies that focused almost entirely on community-based supports instead of the high-cost hospital system.

April 22, 2013

Mental exercise best for boosting memory, study says
CTV News
A new study says mental exercise is more effective than drug treatments when slowing age-related cognitive decline.

Treatment as prevention captures imagination of policy makers
Metro News
Vancouver is hosting the International HIV Treatment as Prevention Workshop, which will have dignitaries from around the world attending. With quotes from Dr. Julio Montaner, director for the B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS.

Rainier Hotel restaurant a reflection of Gastown’s glory days
Lodging News
A new restaurant has restored the ground floor of the historic Rainier Hotel.

B.C. NDP promises $24-million to grow local agriculture industry
Globe and Mail
NDP Leader Adrian Dix says his party will invest $24 million in the local agriculture industry and increase the amount of locally grown foods served in B.C. hospitals.

Thanks to federal budget tweak, some hospital parking fees could climb
Postmedia News
An exemption in the recent federal budget may allow parking fees at hospitals to increase.