The Welcoming Communities Project is a 15-month initiative to help new immigrants feel welcome in the Powell River region. The project is a partnership between VCH, local government, Tla’amin (Sliammon) First Nation, the non-profit sector, as well as immigrants.

A new study out of UBC suggests doctors in the province, and the rest of Canada aren’t trained to deal with illnesses caused by drug and alcohol addiction. With quotes from Dr. Evan Wood, one of the study’s authors and a doctor at St. Paul’s Hospital.

“I have worked in mental health, the provincial criminal courts and the Vancouver police; I have seen the plight of the mentally ill from many angles. It has got worse.”

Health protections for a proposed coal export expansion project are greater in the Lower Mainland than on Texada Island, according to a public health doctor from the United States. With mention of a VCH call for an independent health impact assessment of the proposal.

The provincial government is reviewing its mental health plan in response to Mayor Gregor Robertson and Police Chief Jim Chu calling for urgent investments to help people with severe mental health problems in Vancouver. With mention of an increase in mentally ill patients at St. Paul’s Hospital.

A new city task force on mental health and addictions will look at ways to address what one psychiatric expert calls a crisis comparable to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the Downtown Eastside in the 1990s. With mention of outreach teams made up of police and VCH staff.

Vancouver council stepped up its campaign Tuesday to pressure the provincial government to take a more direct role in solving what it says is a growing mental health and addictions crisis. With mention of working with VCH.

A milestone is being celebrated by a BC woman who received a lung and heart transplant 25-years ago. With quotes from Dr. Robert Levy, director of the VGH lung transplant program.

On Tuesday, Canada’s longest surviving heart and double-lung recipient celebrated the 25th anniversary of her surgery. With quotes from Dr. Robert Levy, director of the VGH lung transplant program.

VCH is encouraging people to get flu vaccinations this year. With quotes from Dr. Paul Martiquet, medical health officer at VCH.