June 7, 2013
MLA wants wheelchair fee stopped
Vancouver Sun
A Delta MLA wants VCH and Fraser Health Authority to reconsider a monthly fee for seniors who use wheelchairs at long-term care homes. With quotes from Gavin Wilson, spokesperson for VCH.
B.C. health authority blasted for wheelchair user fee
CBC News
The Fraser Health Authority is being criticized for imposing fees on elderly patients using wheelchairs. With mention of VCH implementing a similar fee. With quotes from Gavin Wilson, spokesperson for VCH.
Rehab to rugby player
Global BC (video)
One of our G.F. Strong volunteers is profiled.
Vancouver’s supervised injection site will survive new federal rules, supporter say
Vancouver Sun
Supporters of VCH’s InSite supervised injection site said they’re confident the facility will survive a new legislative and political campaign launched by the Harper government against drug “harm reduction” programs
Condoms alone can’t stop syphilis outbreak
24 Hours
VCH is asking the public, particularly gay men, to be tested for syphilis as the city is experiencing its highest numbers of infections in 30 years. With quotes from Dr. Réka Gustafson, a medical health officer with VCH.
Syphilis infection rates in B.C. almost double in 2012
Vancouver Sun
Public health officials in B.C. are calling on sexually active gay and bisexual men to regularly get tested for syphilis after the number of new infections in the province almost doubled in 2012. With quotes from Dr. Réka Gustafson, a medical health officer with VCH.
Syphilis Infections Rise Alarmingly In BC
Huffington Post (Source: CP. Also appeared in Times Colonist)
The B.C. Centre for Disease Control and VCH have issued a warning to gay and bisexual men about an alarming epidemic of syphilis infections. With quotes from Dr. Réka Gustafson, a medical health officer with VCH.
Fears feds’ new rules will block safe injection sites
Star Phoenix
Concerns are being raised that the Harper government’s new application rules will block safe injection sites for addicts. With mention of VCH’s InSite facility.
Injection sites dealt a severe blow
Vancouver Sun
Supporters of Canada’s only supervised injection site said Thursday they’re confident VCH’s Insite facility will survive legislation being introduced by the federal government. With quotes from Dr. Julio Montaner, director of the B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS.
Supervised injection sites not ‘safe’, says Conservative MP
CBC (audio)
Conservative MP Colin Carrie, who is also the parliamentary secretary for the minister of health, says there is “no safe way to put street heroin in your body.”
CMA ‘deeply concerned’ about tighter rules for safe injection sites
CTV News (video)
The Canadian Medical Association says it’s “deeply concerned” about new legislation proposed by the Conservative government that aims to tighten rules around the establishment of safe injection sites. With mention of VCH’s InSite facility.
Harper’s attack on Insite continues
Vancouver Courier
The new rules introduced by the federal government will make it harder for health care activists to open more supervised injection sites in this country. With mention of VCH’s InSite facility.
The Canadian government still embraces a war-on-drugs mentality
Globe and Mail – Editorial
The government’s war on drugs is preventing creative approaches to reducing the harm of illegal drug use.
Health minister announces new criteria for supervised injection sites applications
Global News (video)
Minister of Health Leona Aglukkaq explains how future applications for supervised injection sites would require consultation from public officials and community members before they can be approved.
Will Ottawa’s tightened rules stop supervised injection sites from opening?
Global News (video)
The federal government has proposed a new bill that will make it more difficult to open supervised injection sites. With mention of VCH’s InSite facility.
Rave reviews for hospital cuisine makeover
CTV News (video)
Mount Saint Joseph Hospital has received a new, more Chinese-focused menu for its patients.
‘Angel cradle’ for unwanted babies proposed for Toronto
Toronto Star
A councillor wants to revive a system where newborns can be left anonymously at hospitals.
Truce called in WV water war
North Shore News
West Vancouver council has granted residents of Montizambert Wynd another year of connection to its municipal water supply, but with some stipulations.
June 6, 2013
New rules impose stiffer requirements for safe drug-injection sites
Times Colonist (Source: CP. Also appeared in News Talk 650)
The federal government has proposed new rules for supervised drug injection sites that will make it difficult to set up new clinics in the future. With mention of VCH’s InSite facility.
Feds to unveil new rules for injection sites
The Province (Source: CP. Also appeared in Metro News, News Talk 650, the Windsor Star, The Tyee and the Herald News)
The federal government is going to introduce legislation that will make it more difficult to set up supervised-injection sites in Canada. With mention of VCH’s InSite facility.
Proposed law would jeopardize new supervised-injection sites
Globe and Mail
The Harper government has drafted new rules for supervised injection sites, making it difficult for new clinics to open in the future. With mention of VCH’s InSite facility. With quotes from Julio Montaner, director of the BC Centre for Excellence HIV/AIDS.
Tougher rules for opening supervised injection sites
News 1130
The federal government is introducing strict new regulations on supervised injection sites. With mention of VCH’s InSite facility. With quotes from Mark Townsend of the Portland Hotel Society.
Supervised drug injection site rules coming tomorrow
CBC News – Video
The federal government will table legislation on Thursday that will clarify the rules around new supervised drug injection sites in Canada.
Safe injection sites
Global News – Video
The federal government is about to tighten the rules around opening supervised injection sites.
Joe Segal: Business happens over lunch, but a lifetime happens over dinner
WE Vancouver
On Tuesday, 1,500 people honoured Joe Segal, a philanthropist who donated $12 million to a new mental health facility for VGH this past spring.
Vancouver health authorities warn gay, bisexual men of 30 year high in syphilis infections
Vancouver Sun (Source: CP. Also appeared on CTV News)
VCH and the B.C. Centre for Disease Control are warning gay and bisexual men of an alarming increase in the number of syphilis infections.
Syphilis outbreak in Vancouver reaches epidemic proportions
The Province
Syphilis rates have reached a historic high in the Vancouver area. With quotes from Dr. Réka Gustafson, a medical health officer with VCH.
Syphilis rates in Vancouver at epidemic proportions: VCH
News 1130
Syphilis rates are at their highest in 30 years in the Lower Mainland. With quotes from Dr. Réka Gustafson, a medical health officer with VCH.
Fraser Health to charge seniors for wheelchair use
CKNW
The independent MLA for Delta South is outraged at a new Fraser Health Authority policy that will require seniors in extended care homes to pay to rent wheelchairs.
June 5, 2013
Wait times: Money’s not the answer
The Globe and Mail — Column
In 2004, over $6 billion was spent by the government to reduce wait times on five procedures. Wait times have not shifted significantly since 2004 for any of the procedures, and have even increased for some. Jeffrey Simpson’s proposed solution is to give penalties to hospitals or regional health authorities for not achieving wait-time guarantees.
Fallopian Tubes as Culprits
Vancouver Sun – Podcast
Dr. Dianne Miller, a VGH oncologist, talks with medical reporter Pamela Fayerman about an innovative procedure to prevent ovarian cancer and help women decide if it’s an option to consider.
Supervised drug injection site rules coming tomorrow
CBC.ca
The federal government will table legislation Thursday to clarify rules around new supervised drug injection sites. The new legislation will clarify where new sites can open up and will give communities a voice in the process.
Bedbugs are back big time, their mission to suck your blood
The Province
Warmer weather helps breed bedbugs by allowing them to hatch faster. Vancouver Bed Bug Control general manager mentions an increase in business, and calls from areas not previously associated with bedbugs. VCH spokesperson Anna Marie D’Angelo is quoted.
Sugar and the obesity problem
Coast Reporter
The substitution of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) for sugar has caused an increase in obesity, writes VCH medical health officer Paul Martiquet.
Opinion: There is life after a stroke
Vancouver Sun – Opinion
Stroke recovery is a process in which there are continuous opportunities for improvement. There are tools used to help stroke survivors re-establish and normalize their lives to gain independence.
June 4, 2013
Physicians dominate top executive roles. The next plum jobs are Premier Christy Clark’s call
Vancouver Sun – Blog
Doctors are playing a bigger role in the administration of healthcare in B.C.—including serving as Ministers of Health and CEOs. With mention of a VCH-led leadership program for doctors. With quotes from Dr. Ross Brown, a VGH surgeon and head of trauma services at VCH, and from Dr. Brenda Wagner, an obstetrician/gynecologist at Richmond Hospital.
Physicians get leadership boost
Vancouver Sun
UBC’s Sauder School of Business is offering a new leadership program tailored to doctors in management positions. With quotes from Dr. Ross Brown, a VGH surgeon and head of trauma services at VCH.
The Only Place Where They’ll Inject You With Heroin for Free
Pacific Standard
A program in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside is injecting addicts with free heroin. With quotes from Dr. Eugenia Oviedo-Joekes, principal investigator of the program and a research scientist with VCH.
Health officer seeks probe of coal dust, train impacts
Surrey North Leader
Fraser Health’s chief medical officer is concerned about the health impacts of a proposed new coal export terminal. With mention of a VCH and Fraser Health request for involvement in the new terminal planning.
June 3, 2013
Police locate missing patient
Peak Online
A Powell River General Hospital patient who went missing has been found by RCMP.
Vocational program seeks employers
North Shore News
VCH’s North Shore Adult Community Mental Health program is looking for more employers for clients.
Gutsy Walk aims to find cure for bowel diseases affecting 10,000 British Columbians
Metro News
British Columbians are taking part in an event to raise money for the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of Canada. With quotes from Dr. Brian Bressler, a gastroenterologist at St. Paul’s Hospital.
Conference explores controversial residential health care topics
South Asia Mail
VCH is helping hold a conference that explores aspects of residential care that are often ignored.