Healthcare

Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, toured the site of the new Tsow Tun Le Lem Society Healing House, located on Cowichan Tribes’ land, with other stakeholders on Nov. 27. Pictured from left are Daniella David, chair of the Tsow-Tun Le Lum Society, Colleen Erickson, chair of the First Nations Health Authority, Minister Whiteside, Richard Jock, CEO of the FNHA, and Nola Jeffrey, executive director of the Tsow-Tun Le Lum Society. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

New healing house for First Nations completed in Cowichan

Tsow-Tun Le Lem Society Healing House set to open in January

 

B.C. Human Rights Commissioner Kasari Govender speaks in Vancouver, on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. On Nov. 30, 2023 she announced an inquiry into involuntary detainment under the Adult Guardianship Act. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. health agencies ordered to release data on forcibly detained adults

Human rights commissioner says inquiry will examine use of Adult Guardianship Act on vulnerable adults

 

Hospital Employees Union members from Vernon’s Heron Grove hosted a two-hour rally outside the facility Wednesday, Sept. 27. Staff at Heron Grove and six other facilities owned and operated by the Good Samaritan Canada Society have now ratified a new five-year collective bargaining agreement. (Roger Knox - Black Press)

B.C. facility HEU workers ratify deal

Five-year deal signed into 2025 at Good Samaritan Canada facilities in Vernon, Penticton, Salmon Arm

 

Nyasha Katedza has launched a GoFundMe to help her through medical school. (Photo contributed)

B.C. woman faces racism, homelessness chasing dream of being a doctor

Nyasha Katedza is raising funds to help her through medical school

  • Nov 24, 2023
Nyasha Katedza has launched a GoFundMe to help her through medical school. (Photo contributed)
A new database of emerging “designer drugs” is allowing B.C. labs to make more educated decisions about what clinical tests to invest in and how to confirm which drugs are currently circulating. (Mireille Raad/Unsplash)

Emerging ‘designer drugs’ can be ID’d faster in B.C. with new urinalysis method

Researchers say identification of drugs key for harm reduction

A new database of emerging “designer drugs” is allowing B.C. labs to make more educated decisions about what clinical tests to invest in and how to confirm which drugs are currently circulating. (Mireille Raad/Unsplash)
In this 2012 file photo the then director of the B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Dr. Julio Montaner, speaks with a patient about new annual funding to combat HIV/AIDS. In 2023, advocates continue to call for B.C. to improve access to an injectable HIV drug. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

Injectable HIV drug less accessible to patients in B.C.: doctor

In B.C., a provincial body decides who gets access to the new drug, instead of patient’s doctors

In this 2012 file photo the then director of the B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Dr. Julio Montaner, speaks with a patient about new annual funding to combat HIV/AIDS. In 2023, advocates continue to call for B.C. to improve access to an injectable HIV drug. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
FILE - The province reinstated mask mandates in health-care settings on Oct. 3, 2023. (Ashley Wadhwani/Black Press Media)

Early COVID peak levelling off in B.C.; 847K boosters administered: Henry

1 million British Columbians have received their flu vaccine so far this season

FILE - The province reinstated mask mandates in health-care settings on Oct. 3, 2023. (Ashley Wadhwani/Black Press Media)
Some 50 people rallied outside the provincial legislature against the provincial vaccine mandate and Bill 36.(Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Group rallies outside B.C. Legislature against health care vaccine mandate

Health Minister Adrian Dix defends mandate and provincial health officer Bonnie Henry against attack

Some 50 people rallied outside the provincial legislature against the provincial vaccine mandate and Bill 36.(Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Paramedics debrief after responding to a drug overdose in Vancouver on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

New paramedic staffing models aim to up service in rural and remote B.C.

BCEHS says it will add 271 full-time positions to support new models rolling out in 60 communities

Paramedics debrief after responding to a drug overdose in Vancouver on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
The Emergency Room at North Island Hospital – Campbell River and District could be impacted by the closure of the city’s last walk-in clinic, Citizens for Quality Health Care says. Photo by Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror

North Island community to lose its last walk-in medical clinic Nov. 17

Closing Campbell River’s last walk-in clinic impacts families, hospital ER: health advocate

The Emergency Room at North Island Hospital – Campbell River and District could be impacted by the closure of the city’s last walk-in clinic, Citizens for Quality Health Care says. Photo by Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror
The B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives is warning people of the risks of using unauthorized birthing service providers. (Pixabay)

‘Tragic outcomes’: B.C. regulator warns against using unauthorized midwives

Unregistered midwives linked to reports of deaths, says B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives

The B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives is warning people of the risks of using unauthorized birthing service providers. (Pixabay)
Hospital Employees Union members from Vernon’s Heron Grove hosted a two-hour rally outside the facility Wednesday, Sept. 27. Staff at Heron Grove and six other facilities owned and operated by the Good Samaritan Canada Society hosted rallies as they try to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement. (Roger Knox - Black Press)

Tentative deal reached with B.C. long-term care workers

7 Good Samaritan Canada sites include Vernon, Salmon Arm and Penticton

Hospital Employees Union members from Vernon’s Heron Grove hosted a two-hour rally outside the facility Wednesday, Sept. 27. Staff at Heron Grove and six other facilities owned and operated by the Good Samaritan Canada Society hosted rallies as they try to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement. (Roger Knox - Black Press)
B.C. Premier David Eby, second from left, speaks to media during the closing news conference at the Council of the Federation Canadian premiers meeting at The Fort Garry Hotel in Winnipeg, Wednesday, July 12, 2023. The impact of carbon taxes on mounting cost-of-living pressures across Canada is slated to take centre stage at this week’s meeting of the country’s 13 premiers and territorial leaders in Halifax. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

Premiers to focus on energy costs, health care at Halifax meeting of leaders

Rising cost of living, carbon pricing among topics to be discussed

B.C. Premier David Eby, second from left, speaks to media during the closing news conference at the Council of the Federation Canadian premiers meeting at The Fort Garry Hotel in Winnipeg, Wednesday, July 12, 2023. The impact of carbon taxes on mounting cost-of-living pressures across Canada is slated to take centre stage at this week’s meeting of the country’s 13 premiers and territorial leaders in Halifax. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
Saanich Coun. Teale Phelps Bondaroff is a co-founder of AccessBC. (Ella Matte/New Staff)

Saanich group celebrates campaign that led to free contraception in B.C.

A few friends complaining about expensive birth control turned into a provincial motion

Saanich Coun. Teale Phelps Bondaroff is a co-founder of AccessBC. (Ella Matte/New Staff)
Sara Johnston was 39 years old when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2021. Here, she celebrates the completion of her eighth and final round of chemotherapy. (Photo courtesy of Sara Johnston)

Diagnosed at 39, B.C. breast cancer survivor pushes for lower screening age

Had she waited until she was 40, Sara Johnston’s cancer likely would have been Stage 4

Sara Johnston was 39 years old when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2021. Here, she celebrates the completion of her eighth and final round of chemotherapy. (Photo courtesy of Sara Johnston)
Premier David Eby said his government has “got a lot more work to do” in rural health care during a tour of the South Okanagan, Similkameen and Boundary regions.

B.C. premier tours southern Interior in bid to deepen rural connections

Transportation, health, and transportation to health top agenda as Eby reaches outside big centres

Premier David Eby said his government has “got a lot more work to do” in rural health care during a tour of the South Okanagan, Similkameen and Boundary regions.
Adrian Dix, B.C. health minister, and Sheila Malcolmson, Nanaimo MLA, at an announcement Thursday, Oct. 19, of a 306-bed long-term care facility that will be built on the Lantzville-Nanaimo border. (Karl Yu/News Bulletin)

300-bed long-term care facility announced for Mid-Island

Facility near Lantzville’s May Richards Bennett Pioneer Park includes ‘specialized population’ unit

Adrian Dix, B.C. health minister, and Sheila Malcolmson, Nanaimo MLA, at an announcement Thursday, Oct. 19, of a 306-bed long-term care facility that will be built on the Lantzville-Nanaimo border. (Karl Yu/News Bulletin)
Hospital Employee’s Union members at two Good Samaritan Canada facilities in B.C., including Pioneer Lodge in Salmon Arm, will be taking part in a six-hour walkout on Friday, Oct. 20, 2023. The job action is in response to contract negotiations that the union says have been ongoing for the past two years. (Health Care Workers of Good Samaritan/Facebook photo)

One-day walkout planned for Salmon Arm, Delta long-term care facilities

Good Samaritan Canada says it will ensure essential care, services are delivered during strike

  • Oct 20, 2023
Hospital Employee’s Union members at two Good Samaritan Canada facilities in B.C., including Pioneer Lodge in Salmon Arm, will be taking part in a six-hour walkout on Friday, Oct. 20, 2023. The job action is in response to contract negotiations that the union says have been ongoing for the past two years. (Health Care Workers of Good Samaritan/Facebook photo)
Health-care workers talk with a man in a COVID-19 infected ward at Idola Saint-Jean long-term care home in Laval, Que., Friday, February 25, 2022. In B.C., a September 2023 survey of health care assistants shows half of them are considering quitting in the next two years. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Half of B.C.’s care aides say they’ll likely quit amid shortages: survey

Close to 1,500 care aide job vacancies listed in B.C. as of the end of June, according to StatsCan

Health-care workers talk with a man in a COVID-19 infected ward at Idola Saint-Jean long-term care home in Laval, Que., Friday, February 25, 2022. In B.C., a September 2023 survey of health care assistants shows half of them are considering quitting in the next two years. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
Dr. Kelly Hadfield founded Ghana Medical Help 14 years ago. (Photo courtesy of Curtis Comeau)

Vancouver Island doctor’s organization improving healthcare in Ghana

Dr. Kelly Hadfield founder and executive director of Ghana Medical Help

Dr. Kelly Hadfield founded Ghana Medical Help 14 years ago. (Photo courtesy of Curtis Comeau)