Healthcare

Linda MacMullen (seen here with her support dog, Bailey) is hopeful a new treatment for those living with myasthenia gravis will ultimately lead to more independence for her. Photo by Terry Farrell

Medical treatment offers hope for those living with myasthenia gravis

Courtenay resident Linda MacMullen was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis (MG) in 2001,…

Linda MacMullen (seen here with her support dog, Bailey) is hopeful a new treatment for those living with myasthenia gravis will ultimately lead to more independence for her. Photo by Terry Farrell
The Pacific Centre Family Service Association’s Centre for Well-Being in Colwood is seen in this file photo. The centre has been renovated. (Black Press Media File Photo)

New Westshore Community Health Centre opens as thousands without family doctor

There will be 17.2 full-time equivalent (FTE) health-care workers at the centre

The Pacific Centre Family Service Association’s Centre for Well-Being in Colwood is seen in this file photo. The centre has been renovated. (Black Press Media File Photo)
An employer takes a leap at WildPlay Nanaimo’s Bungy Bridge during last year’s Toss the Boss fundraiser for brain injury awareness. The event raised more than $87,000 in 2021 and the Victoria and Nanaimo Brain Injury societies hope to see it generate $125,000 this summer. (Courtesy of Pam Prewett)

Victoria brain injury fundraiser lets employees ‘drop their boss’ 46 metres in Nanaimo

Businesses have until Sept. 23 to raise $500 for cause, employer bungee jump

An employer takes a leap at WildPlay Nanaimo’s Bungy Bridge during last year’s Toss the Boss fundraiser for brain injury awareness. The event raised more than $87,000 in 2021 and the Victoria and Nanaimo Brain Injury societies hope to see it generate $125,000 this summer. (Courtesy of Pam Prewett)
The Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island is pitching a project to build and operate accommodations for families of patients at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, similar to Jeneece Place in Victoria. (News Bulletin file photo)

Accommodations for families of patients proposed at Nanaimo hospital

Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island pitches Jesse’s House project to city council

The Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island is pitching a project to build and operate accommodations for families of patients at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, similar to Jeneece Place in Victoria. (News Bulletin file photo)
International Development Minister and Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada Minister Harjit Sajjan rises during Question Period, in Ottawa, Monday, April 4, 2022. Sajjan says he told Canadian officials in Ukraine and neighbouring countries to ensure that women sexually assaulted by Russian troops get the help they need — including access to abortions if they wish. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Ukrainian victims of sexual violence need reproductive health care: Sajjan

Women, girls coming to Canada will be given access to abortions if they want them, says minister

International Development Minister and Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada Minister Harjit Sajjan rises during Question Period, in Ottawa, Monday, April 4, 2022. Sajjan says he told Canadian officials in Ukraine and neighbouring countries to ensure that women sexually assaulted by Russian troops get the help they need — including access to abortions if they wish. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Davis Graham, aka Pencil Fingerz, donated this original painting to B.C. Emergency Health Services. (Submitted by BCEHS)

B.C. artist ‘Pencil Fingerz’ donates painting to honour paramedics

Additionally, 5,000 limited edition prints will be made and given to every paramedic in B.C.

Davis Graham, aka Pencil Fingerz, donated this original painting to B.C. Emergency Health Services. (Submitted by BCEHS)
Dozens display signs at the BC Health Care Matters rally on May 19, 2022, at the legislature for World Family Doctor Day. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)

B.C. family doctor shortage sees hundreds rally in Victoria

1 in 5 lack general practitioner in B.C., 100,000 in Greater Victoria

Dozens display signs at the BC Health Care Matters rally on May 19, 2022, at the legislature for World Family Doctor Day. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)
Port Alice Health Centre. (Debra Lynn photo)

X-ray services resume at Port Alice Health Centre

X-ray services are available by appointment at the PAHC

Port Alice Health Centre. (Debra Lynn photo)
A new rural physician incentive program has been launched by the Alberta government. (Black Press file photo)

Central Saanich council calls on province to treat physician shortage

About a third of Saanich Peninsula residents without a GP in 2019

A new rural physician incentive program has been launched by the Alberta government. (Black Press file photo)
Lucas Gentina holds up the Chilean flag with the name of his home town scrawled on it. (Courtesy of Robert Borthwick/Cold Ocean Diver)

Saanich Peninsula Hospital’s ‘Aquaman’ splashes up in North Saanich

Lucas Gentina continues to raise funds for long-term care unit

Lucas Gentina holds up the Chilean flag with the name of his home town scrawled on it. (Courtesy of Robert Borthwick/Cold Ocean Diver)
Nurses at Langley Memorial Hospital are among the many nurses around the world who provide care. May 12 is International Nurses Day. (Black Press file photo)

QUIZ: A salute to nurses

May 9 to 15 is National Nursing Week in Canada and a time to recognize the work done by nurses

Nurses at Langley Memorial Hospital are among the many nurses around the world who provide care. May 12 is International Nurses Day. (Black Press file photo)
Donna McLeod graduating as a new nurse. (Photo courtesy of Island Health)

A family tradition: three generations of nursing care

May 9-15 is National Nursing Week

  • May 13, 2022
Donna McLeod graduating as a new nurse. (Photo courtesy of Island Health)
Victoria’s Sprott Shaw College is hosting open houses at their Bastion Square campus for medical office and health unit administration programs every Friday this month. (Courtesy of Sprott Shaw College)

Victoria college recruiting for in-demand medical admin programs

Need desperate in region for people to take on such roles, Sprott Shaw director says

Victoria’s Sprott Shaw College is hosting open houses at their Bastion Square campus for medical office and health unit administration programs every Friday this month. (Courtesy of Sprott Shaw College)
Protesters fill the front steps of the legislature Tuesday at a rally for the BC Nurses’ Union during National Nursing Week. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)

Nurses rally at legislature in Victoria, call for better working conditions

Many B.C. nurses considering leaving jobs, union vice-president says

Protesters fill the front steps of the legislature Tuesday at a rally for the BC Nurses’ Union during National Nursing Week. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)
Registered nurse Cayli Hunt dons protective equipment prior to entering a COVID positive room at St. Paul’s hospital in Vancouver in 2020. The B.C. Nurses Union is hosting a candlelight vigil Monday night (May 9) in Victoria to commemorate those lost to the pandemic and the toxic drug crisis. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)

B.C. nurses mourn lives lost to COVID, drug crisis, during Monday vigil in Victoria

8:15 p.m. May 9 event coincides with the start of National Nurses Week

Registered nurse Cayli Hunt dons protective equipment prior to entering a COVID positive room at St. Paul’s hospital in Vancouver in 2020. The B.C. Nurses Union is hosting a candlelight vigil Monday night (May 9) in Victoria to commemorate those lost to the pandemic and the toxic drug crisis. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)
Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos speaks during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, May 6, 2022. A year since the federal government announced a fund for organizations making sexual and reproductive information and services more available, advocates say those funds have not yet been released. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

$45M sexual, reproductive health fund not yet released a year later: advocates

Health Canada says it has signed nine contribution agreements

Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos speaks during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, May 6, 2022. A year since the federal government announced a fund for organizations making sexual and reproductive information and services more available, advocates say those funds have not yet been released. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Parents in Kelowna lack confidence in the vaccination (Metro Creative Graphics Photo)

Majority of B.C. parents vaccinated, but most kids are not

Parents in B.C. say they are wary of mRNA vaccination technology when it comes to their kids

Parents in Kelowna lack confidence in the vaccination (Metro Creative Graphics Photo)
West Coast Family Medical Clinic in Sooke has managed to avoid the closures and reduced hours caused by doctor shortages plaguing several clinics in the Capital Region. (File - Shutterstock)

Sooke’s creative approach to health care

West Coast Medical Clinic manages to survive while other clinics close doors due to doctor shortages

West Coast Family Medical Clinic in Sooke has managed to avoid the closures and reduced hours caused by doctor shortages plaguing several clinics in the Capital Region. (File - Shutterstock)
The Port Alice Health Centre. (North Island Gazette file photo)

X-ray services unavailable in Port Alice for a week or more

Island Health hoping new unit will be operational by May 12, residents can go to McNeill or Hardy

The Port Alice Health Centre. (North Island Gazette file photo)
Hundreds of people gathered in solidarity for the people of Ukraine during a rally in Victoria, Feb. 27, 2022. The province announced April 25, Ukrainians fleeing to B.C. will receive health coverage immediately upon arrival. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Ukrainians fleeing to B.C. will receive immediate health coverage

Community support groups say prescription drugs, mental health counselling needed

Hundreds of people gathered in solidarity for the people of Ukraine during a rally in Victoria, Feb. 27, 2022. The province announced April 25, Ukrainians fleeing to B.C. will receive health coverage immediately upon arrival. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito