July 19, 2013
Corbella: Vancouver’s easy drug access may have helped kill Monteith
Calgary Herald
Ask any informed Vancouverite where you could pick up a bit of heroin and they’d be able to tell you.
Photo Essay: VGH’s massive sterilization unit works around the clock
Vancouver Sun
A staff of 140 — the largest department of its kind in B.C. — supplies sterile surgical instruments to the hospital’s operating rooms and clinics across Metro Vancouver.
Reports of bedbugs double in Vancouver
24 hrs Vancouver
A pest control agency is reporting a two-fold increase in Vancouver bedbug infestation in the past three years, following a trend happening right across Canada.
New Transport Canada Helipad Compliance Order
The Whistler News
The helipad at the Whistler Health Care Centre continues to face compliance challenges after Transport Canada performed another safety inspection during 2013.
Teenager survives debilitating eye illness
Coquitlam Now
Alyssa Samaratunga, a promising gymnast, had a corneal transplant 3 years ago. Quotes from Shannon Leonard, Eye Bank of BC.
Little evidence harm reduction reduces harm more than good
Vancouver Sun
A report by the B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS on harm reduction programs and Insite released last month is not science; it’s public relations. There is little evidence to suggest harm reduction reduces harm more than good.
July 18, 2013
Vancouver Coastal Health cuts linked to rising deficit
Georgia Straight
The CEO of VCH, Dr. David Ostrow, has written a memo to staff explaining recent cuts in services.
Website bridges cultures, language
North Shore News
A VCH website provides refugees with important medical information. With quotes from Dr. Dean Brow, an LGH doctor.
Former Reginan leads groundbreaking research into surgical site infections
Leader Post
A VGH team has won an award in Geneva for their innovative work to reduce the risk of surgical site infections.
VGH’s massive sterilization unit works around the clock
Vancouver Sun (photo essay)
A visual presentation of VGH’s medical device reprocessing department.
Measles outbreak controlled
The Province
VCH says that a recent measles outbreak is under control. With quotes from Tiffany Akins, a spokesperson for VCH.
Is this the proof that Cory Monteith’s heroin addiction stems back a year? Pictures from 2012 appear to show ‘needle marks’ on his arm
Mail Online
Images have emerged showing actor Cory Monteith with what appears to be injection marks on his arm, almost a year before he died from a lethal combination of heroin and alcohol. With mention of VCH performing a postmortem exam.
After details of Monteith’s death emerge, Abbotsford police highlight rising risks of toxic heroin
Globe and Mail
A day after an autopsy confirmed Cory Monteith died of a toxic mix of heroin and alcohol, police in Abbotsford, warned of a surge of overdoses in their city. With mention of VCH saying they have not seen an increase in heroin overdoses.
Public warned about heroin od spike
The Province
Abbotsford police are warning the public about an increase in heroine overdoses. With a statement from Anna Marie D’Angelo, a spokesperson for VCH.
Don’t suffer in silence
Peace Arch News – Letter
Governments need to provide more money to health authorities. With mention of government funding for VCH.
July 17, 2013
Measles outbreak in Whistler-Pemberton area now under control, says health authority
The Province
VCH says the recent measles outbreak has been contained.
City food banks in need over summer
Burnaby Now
Food banks want people to think about the nutritional value of their donations. With mention of working with nutritionists and nurses from VCH.
Cut ferry fares
The Province – Letter
A former VCH employee thinks it’s “outrageous” that almost $1 million is being spent to reward staff for staying healthy.
Letters circulate in West Van opposing 36-metre cell phone towers
North Shore Outlook
A group of West Vancouver residents is unhappy with the construction of three 36-metre high cellphone towers that could be installed along the Upper Levels Highway. With mention of VCH research around the safety of cell phone towers.
July 16, 2013
New Rotary president to focus on hospice
Squamish Reporter
The new president of the Rotary Club of Squamish, Mike Nasu, wants to bring hospice care to Squamish. Nasu thinks funding operational costs and getting the attention of Vancouver Coastal Health will be the most difficult aspects.
Revealed: Cory Monteith died from heroin and alcohol overdose
Daily Mail
Cory Monteith’s death at the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel in Vancouver has been confirmed as a heroin and alcohol overdose. A medical team from VCH performed the postmortem exam.
July 15, 2013
Unique Vancouver art program saved by anonymous donor
Global BC
VCH’s Art Studios Program will continue thanks to a private, anonymous donation. With quotes from Andrew MacFarlane, director of Mental Health and Addiction services for VCH.
Measles outbreak prompts warning in Whistler and Pemberton
Vancouver Sun (Source CP. Also appeared in the Times Colonist and the Huffington Post)
VCH medical health officer Dr. Paul Martiquet is urging parents to vaccinate their children after a measles outbreak in two more B.C. communities.
Warning issued after measles outbreak in Whistler, Pemberton
Global BC
Vancouver Coastal Health has issued a warning after a measles outbreak in Whistler and Pemberton. With quotes from Dr. Paul Martiquet, a medical health officer for VCH.
Four cases of measles reported in Whistler and Pemberton
Georgia Straight
VCH is advising people to ensure they have been vaccinated after a reported measles outbreak in Whistler and Pemberton. With quotes from Dr. Paul Martiquet, a medical health officer for VCH.
Vancouver Coastal warns of measles outbreak
News 1130
VCH says there have been four cases of measles in Whistler and Pemberton. With quotes from Dr. Paul Martiquet, a medical health officer for VCH as well as information from the VCH website.
Did big pharma team up to kill B.C.’s drug safety watchdog?
Vancouver Sun
There is a theory that the provincial government was pressured by pharmaceutical companies to end the Therapeutics Initiative, a drug watchdog agency run out of UBC.