June 21, 2013
Steele on Your Side – Hospital Parking Fees
CTV News (video)
Reporter Lynda Steele looks at the debate over hospital parking fees. With mention of VCH’s Richmond Hospital.
Parents facilitate teen boozing: VCH
North Shore News
A VCH survey says 80 per cent of teens get alcohol from adults.
St. Paul’s Hospital creates smudging space in move to incorporate aboriginal health care
The Province
St. Paul’s Hospital has created a space for smudging and pipe ceremonies in an effort to provide traditional health care for the city’s aboriginal population.
City installs mid-block crosswalk on East Hastings
Vancouver Courier
Vancouver has installed a mid-block crosswalk to reduce the number of accidents involving pedestrians. The crosswalk is located near VCH’s Insite facility.
Exercise More, See the Doctor Less
Health Goes Strong
A new study by VCH and UBC has discovered that even among the elderly, starting to exercise can mean fewer trips to the doctor.
June 20, 2013
Richmond widow racks up $1,800 hospital parking bill
CBC
A Richmond widow, who lost her husband and her son in the past year, says hospital parking should be free. With reference to St. Paul’s and Richmond hospitals.
Paid hospital parking
Global BC (video)
A senior Vancouver couple says they can’t afford hospital parking fees. With reference to their visit to VGH.
Liberal MP Hedy Fry roasts supervised-injection site bill
Georgia Straight
Vancouver Liberal MP Dr. Hedy Fry has alleged that the Conservative Party of Canada has tried to cash in on a government bill proposing greater regulations over supervised-injection sites. With mention of VCH’s Insite facility.
City rats carry disease that can infect humans
Vancouver Sun
A study has shown that rats in the Downtown Eastside are carrying a disease that can infect people. With quotes from Dr. Réka Gustafson, medical health officer for VCH.
Deep-tissue treatment helps dig out pain
Vancouver Sun
A man found pain relief in deep-tissue massage. With quotes from VCH doctor Dr. Paul Bishop.
NDP fight proposed wheelchair tax
Daily Courier
NDP Leader Adrian Dix says the move taken by VCH and the Fraser Health Authority to charge wheelchair maintenance fees are “government decisions.”
Cash Grab from Wheelchair Users Gets Worse
The Tyee – Opinion
Seniors in VCH and Fraser Health residential care facilities will have to pay a new fee for wheelchairs while BC Liberal staff receive pay raises.
Nurses blast Fraser Health for wheelchair charge plan
Burnaby Now
The B.C. Nurses’ Union is criticizing Fraser Health for implementing a new wheelchair fee, which VCH is also planning on introducing.
Liberal policies don’t reflect priorities of B.C
Vancouver Sun – Letter
Liberal policies including a new fee for wheelchair use at VCH and Fraser Health and increased wages for the premier and her staff, do not reflect the values of the people of B.C.
Cuts to mental health programs won’t save money
Vancouver Sun — Letter
Cutting VCH’s At The Art Studios program is going to cost the government more money in the long run.
Losing a lifesaver
The Province — Letter
A reader is “disgusted” at VCH for cutting its art studio program for people with mental illness.
June 19, 2013
Wheelchair fees to help cover budget shortfall: Dix
24 Hours
B.C. NDP Leader Adrian Dix says the plan to charge seniors for wheelchair use, has been in the works for more than three years. With mention of VCH care homes that may charge the fee.
Widow fights to abolish ‘cruel’ hospital parking fees
CTV News
After losing her son to Lymphoma, an 82-year-old Richmond woman wants parking fees abolished in Metro Vancouver hospitals. With a quote from Geoff Roberts, the director of parking for the Fraser, Vancouver Coastal and Providence health authorities.
North Shore mental health care redesign
North Shore Outlook
VCH has announced its regional child and youth mental health doctor will assist in redesigning care on the North Shore.
Harper should embrace safe-injection sites: They’re the law-and-order option
Globe and Mail – Commentary
Safe-injection sites like VCH’s Insite actually create law and order as opposed to creating a loss of control. With quotes from Dr. Evan Wood, an epidemiologist with the Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS.
Understanding Aboriginal culture, eradicating racism
Richmond News
VCH is working with Pathways Aboriginal Centre, the city of Richmond and the school district to celebrate National Aboriginal Day on June 21.
Community Action Ambassadors help support seniors
Richmond Review
A group of volunteers called Community Action Ambassadors are helping isolated seniors connect with community resources. VCH helps support the program.
Brampton, Ont. may be a model for how Canada deals with planning
Globe and Mail
Brampton is becoming one of Canada’s most progressive subdivisions. With mention of a briefing paper from VCH on the reasons why health authorities and planners should work together.
Basics of bursitis
Coast Reporter – Column
Steps can be taken to prevent bursitis. Written by Dr. Paul Martiquet, medical health officer with VCH.
June 18, 2013
VCH urges: Stop giving booze to teens
North Shore News
A VCH program is trying to convince parents not to give their teens alcohol. With quotes from Kerrie Watt, a VCH prevention educator.
No comfort in seniors wheelchair ‘money grab’
24 Hours – Column
An independent MLA is saying that $300-a-year wheelchair fee is a “money grab.”
Fees add to patients’ burden
Langley Advance – Letter
The announcement to charge seniors for wheelchair use is “appalling.”
Health Minister says seniors aren’t being nickel and dimed
CKNW
B.C.’s Health Minister says wheelchair fees in long term residential care homes are not unusual and are administered fairly, including exempting those who can’t afford it.
Crown and defence recommend 10-year sentence after man with mental health issues pleads guilty to second-degree murder
The Province
An Ontario man with a history of mental health issues had recently been discharged from St. Paul’s Hospital when he fatally stabbed a 24-year-old man.
Cardiac Residency for BC Minister’s Son Stirs Debate
The Tyee
A story about the awarding of a University of British Columbia training position to the son of two prominent Vancouver doctors, one of whom is a former cabinet minister and current MLA, generated intense online debate.
Butts for Cash, Teen Mental Health, and Rowing the Northwest Passage
CBC Early Edition (podcast)
An increasing number of teenagers are turning up at the North Shore emergency with mental health issues.
June 17, 2013
Arts recovery program latest casualty
Global BC (video)
VCH has cut funding for its Arts Studios program, which helps people with mental issues. With quotes from Anna Marie D’Angelo, spokesperson for VCH.
Endoscopy unit opens its doors
North Shore News
VCH’s Lions Gate Hospital (LGH) now has a new endoscopy suite thanks to fundraising by the Lions Gate Hospital Foundation. With quotes from Dr. Michael Hahn, director of endoscopy and head of the division of gastroenterology at LGH.
Doctors urged to adopt clinical approach to target smoking
CMAJ
A Canadian smoking-cessation expert says doctors should treat smoking more like a disease. With quotes from Dr. Milan Khara, clinical director of the Tobacco Dependence Clinic at VCH’s Addiction Services.
Diversity services in Brampton: A new frontier in treating patients
Globe and Mail
Hospitals across the country need to embrace cultural diversity services such as those offered at this hospital in Brampton, Ontario.