Media stories for the week of May 13 – May 17

May 17, 2013

Not a great experience
Coast Reporter
A former patient criticizes the ICU in the new wing of St. Mary’s Hospital in Sechelt, but praises hospital staff.

May 16, 2013

Taking action on chronic disease
Coast Reporter
Specific actions and measure can be taken to fight chronic diseases. Written by VCH Medical Health Officer Dr. Paul Martiquet.

Heart health salmon
Global BC (video)
The Cardiac Rehab program at VGH has designed healthy recipes for a healthy heart.

First Nations to sign agreement to protect the vulnerable in their communities
Pique Magazine
A commitment agreement has been developed to ensure the safety of elders, women and children in First Nations communities in the Sea to Sky region. With mention of a study funded by VCH.

Aging population stymies health care cost controls
Vancouver Sun–Column
Providing health care to B.C.’s growing senior population causes significant budgetary challenges.

Student’s brilliance Doogie Howser-like
The Province
A 25-year-old MD/PhD student is going to be the youngest person ever to attain a degree from the UBC program. With quotes from VGH neurologist Dr. Neil Cashman.

May 15, 2013

Port Metro Vancouver to present coal safety measures
24 Hours
Port Metro Vancouver’s Duncan Wilson will be presenting the safety features to prevent coal dust from spreading for a proposed coal facility in Surrey. With mention of inviting VCH and Fraser Health to provide input for the proposal.

Lifting weights, doing cardio can also keep the doctors away, say researchers
Medical News
Researchers from the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute and UBC published a study saying that lifting weights and doing cardio reduces the need for doctor visits.

Weight Training and Cardio at Old Age Keeps Doctors Away: Study
Science World Report
A latest study published in the journal PLOS ONE states that lifting weights and doing cardio reduces the number of hospital visits in seniors. With mention of the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute.

It’s Different Now
The A Word (AIDS Calgary Awareness Association blog)
The treatment of and attitude towards HIV has changed over the years. With mention of VCH and Providence Health Care’s involvement in the STOP HIV/AIDS Project.

Lost seniors a growing problem in Vancouver
Vancouver Courier
More and more seniors with Alzheimer’s and dementia are wandering and getting lost in Vancouver neighbourhoods.

May 14, 2013

‘Don’t take your organs to heaven’: Richmond student makes plea for dad in need of transplant
The Province
The daughter of a Richmond man needing a kidney transplant has put out a public plea for people to donate their organs.

Task force advises against Canadian family doctors routinely screening for depression
The Province (Source: CP)
The Canadian Task Force on Preventative Health Care is recommending that family doctors do not routinely screen all patients for depression. Dr. Garey Mazowita of St. Paul’s Hospital is quoted.

Our health care system is also a major cure for inequality
Globe and Mail – Commentary
The Canadian Institute of Health Information (CIHI) releases a new study on the impacts of Canada’s publicly funded health care on income inequality.

May 13, 2013

Patient Jean Rouday gives forward to Richmond Hospital
Richmond Review
A former cancer patient made a donation to the Richmond Hospital Foundation because she was so grateful for the care she received.

Arrowhead opens doors to local government
Coast Reporter
A Sechelt “clubhouse” for adults with mental illness opened its doors to government officials on May 2. With mention of a request for funding from VCH.

Private clinic’s web portal lets patients access own records
Vancouver Sun
A private medical clinic has partnered with Telus to launch a pilot project of an online medical records service. With mention of integrating electronic records for VCH.

Bylaw against harm reduction doesn’t stop groups from helping vulnerable citizens
Abbotsford News
The Portland Hotel Society hands out supplies, like clean needles and alcohol swabs, in Abbotsford every Thursday to promote safe drug use.