“Chris Gallagher was a loving son, a bright MBA graduate, and a poet. In the last months of his life … he suffered many burdens — severe bipolar disorder, crystal methamphetamine addiction, bouts of paranoia and the painful memories of being tasered by police.” Gallagher’s family is unhappy with the treatment he recieved at St. Paul’s Hospital.

“Conservatives said the same things about (VCH’s) Insite — that it would somehow legitimize injection drug use and lead to escalated drug use, crime and public disorder.” Written by Dr. Thomas Kerr, director of the Urban Health Research Initiative, BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS and by Dr. Julio Montaner, director of the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS.

“Vancouver found itself facing a fight on two fronts Tuesday in its efforts to regulate and license marijuana shops….But Dr. Patricia Daly, the chief medical officer for the health authority, said Vancouver is only trying to get a grip on a problem exacerbated by the federal government’s change last year to medical marijuana laws.”

In a reversal of a previous pledge by the Province and hospital board, it was recently announced that St. Paul’s Hospital will be torn down rather than fixed up. With quotes from VCH Board Chair Kip Woodward.

After more than 120 years in downtown Vancouver’s west end, St. Paul’s Hospital—the Catholic acute care centre—has announced a new facility will be built on Station Street in Vancouver near the Via Rail terminal and the Main Street SkyTrain Station.

Environmental monitoring in the aftermath of last week’s Squamish Terminals dock fire has found no potential air quality or deposition concerns. Preliminary results from samples taken between April 19 and 21 found “no potential air quality, deposition issues or concerns related to elevated levels of contaminants.” A full report is currently being prepared for Vancouver Coastal Health and other agencies to review.

More than half of British Columbians think the health care system focuses too much on hospitals and emergency rooms and not enough on services like residential care homes, long-term care beds and services for chronically ill seniors, suggests a new poll. The survey, by Insights West for the B.C. Care Providers Association, showed 62 per cent of residents polled feel the system is too focused on acute care.

Senior health officials say a plan to license marijuana dispensaries — even though they are illegal — is a smart move. With quotes from VCH Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Patricia Daly.

There’s been a delay in approving supervised injection sites at the Dr. Peter Centre, which has been waiting over a year for approval from Health Canada. Health Minister Rona Ambrose says the final decision is up to Health Canada, not her.

Powell River’s walkability forum held last spring included presentations from Vancouver Coastal Health as well as others on the topic of active transportation. The topic has been highlighted by Plan H, a province-wide program which supports local government engagement and partnerships across sectors for creating healthier communities.