July 26
More must be done to fight deadly hepatitis
The Province
Despite all of the attention hepatitis gets, it’s still a major challenge for public-health practitioners. With mention of funding to St. Paul’s Hospital and of Dr. Mel Krajden the medical head, hepatitis, for the B.C. Centre for Disease Control and Dr. Julio Montaner, director of the B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS.
Reconsider health funding cuts
Coast Reporter – Letter
A Sechelt resident asks the Health Minister to reconsider funding cuts to VCH mental health programs.
Our Irrational Fear of Heroin
The Tyee – Opinion
Legal drugs like alcohol and tobacco are doing far more damage to British Columbia than illegal ones like heroin. With quotes from Dr. Patricia Daly, chief medical health officer at VCH.
Calgary’s problem, too
Calgary Herald – Opinion
“Licia Corbella’s column on (VCH’s) Insite program in Vancouver has left serious erroneous impressions about drug addiction issues here in Calgary.”
Police seize babies born in downtown eastside Vancouver park to mentally ill mother
Vancouver Sun
Vancouver police officers used physical force to stop a mother from smothering her newborn twins after giving birth to the babies in a Vancouver park.
Babies born in Vancouver park taken into care, police say
CBC
Twin babies born in a park in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside have been taken into the care of B.C.’s children’s ministry.
Woman who gave birth to twins in park had mental health issues, police say
Globe and Mail
A woman who gave birth to twins in East Vancouver’s Oppenheimer Park had mental health issues and police had to use force to remove the babies from her grip.
Cops seize twins from mentally ill mom after she squeezed a baby by the neck as she birthed the other
The Province
Vancouver police officers used physical force to stop a mother from smothering her newborn twins after she gave birth to the babies in a Vancouver park.
Oppenheimer Park Twins’ Lives Saved, Now In Ministry Care
Huffington Post (Source: CP)
The birth of twins in a park where Vancouver police officers helped an apparently surprised mother wasn’t such a happy experience after all.
July 29
Sewing a smile onto the face of despair
Vancouver Sun
A Langara journalism professor and former Vancouver Sun writer opens up about his struggle with depression and month-long stay in UBC Hospital.
Kidney dialysis treatment
Global BC
A study based at St. Paul’s Hospital shows the more patients are involved in their kidney dialysis treatment, the better the outcome. Quotes from Michele Trask, St. Paul’s Hospital Dialysis Unit – operations leader.
How do you fit a new school in downtown Vancouver?
The Globe and Mail
Quotes from Jennifer Ball, a pre-op assistant at VGH, who chooses to live downtown to raise a family with her husband, who is also a VGH staff member.
Our attitude toward drugs might make more addicts
Vancouver Sun
Is Insite reducing or producing harm? In response to ‘Little evidence harm reduction reduces harm’ and ‘Evidence trumps ideology over public health benefits of Insite’.
Are Canadian airlines prepared?
Leader-Post
Air Canadian airlines prepared for medical emergencies? The type of medical equipment that airplanes must carry depends on their size. Quotes from Dr. Anna-Maria Carvalho, doctor in the ED at VGH.
Council gives okay to medical pot
CN BC
City of Powell River mayor and council voted unanimously last week in support of a motion that would allow the city to take advantage of new rules around medical marijuana. Comments from Dr. Paul Martiquet, medical health officer for VCH.
July 30
NDP and Liberals spar over the St Paul’s hospital redevelopment
CKNW
The NDP are saying that the promised redevelopment of St Paul’s hospital has become a victim of the government’s effort to balance the books. With quotes from Terry Lake, Minister of Health.
Vancouver police seeing increase in mental health calls
Vancouver Courier
The Vancouver Police Department is seeing a steady increase in the number of times it arrests people under the Mental Health Act. ACT and Car 87 teams are mentioned
Dangerous driving has terrible consequences
The Province
Heidi Cave recounts a devastating car crash that killed her friend and changed her life. GF Strong and Burns, Plastic and Trauma unit at VGH are mentioned.
No funding from RCMP, anti-drug group says
Vancouver Sun
The Drug Prevention Network of Canada has never received funding from the RCMP and has no involvement with the critiques of Insite. In response to ‘Evidence trumps ideology over public health benefits of Insite, Issues and Ideas’.
Autoimmune disorder can’t stop climber
Langley Advance
Peter Marshall was diagnosed with Wegener’s granulomatosis at age 31. This year he completed a trek to the summit of Mt. Rainier to raise awareness and funds for The Arthritis Society. Quotes from Dr. Jason Kur and references to VCH hospitals.
July 31
More than half of Canadians say they use the web to self-diagnose symptoms: poll
Vancouver Sun
More than half of Canadians recently polled about their tendencies to self-diagnose an ailment with a Google search said they had researched a health-related issue in the past month. Quotes from Dr. Kendall Ho, a physician in the VGH ED.
11-storey tower proposal at 970 Union Street referred to Public Hearing before completion of Local Area Plan
City Hall Watch (blog)
The redevelopment of the Villa Cathay Care Home, operated under contract to VCH, would increase the number of care beds from 188 to 225.
B.C. hospitals plan needs X-ray, says critic
24 Hours Vancouver
The BC NDP says the province’s promise to build hospitals is mired in an unaccountable budget process and lacking clarity on such projects as replacing Burnaby Hospital.