Health Minister Adrian Dix Wednesday faced questions about a July 2023 Northern Health memo that says patients can use drugs while in their rooms and keep knives under four-inches. BC United cited the memo as evidence of the NDP having “created a free-for-all with open drug use” but Dix’s ministry says Northern Health “should have reconsidered how it phrased this memo” in noting the illegality of drug use in hospitals settings.

Leaked memo sparks heated debate about drug use in northern B.C. hospitals

Northern Health memo says ‘patients can use substances while in hospital in their rooms’

Health Minister Adrian Dix Wednesday faced questions about a July 2023 Northern Health memo that says patients can use drugs while in their rooms and keep knives under four-inches. BC United cited the memo as evidence of the NDP having “created a free-for-all with open drug use” but Dix’s ministry says Northern Health “should have reconsidered how it phrased this memo” in noting the illegality of drug use in hospitals settings.
Walter Tauro, an 88-year-old former real estate agent, shown in this handout image provided by his son Lionel Tauro, says he's feeling good about receiving the recognition earlier this month after his body successfully accepted a new kidney last year. The Ontario resident has defeated the odds and has been recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest kidney transplant recipient. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Lionel Tauro

World’s oldest kidney transplant recipient doing fine in Toronto suburb

Walter Tauro feeling healthy and enjoying life in Markham at 88

Walter Tauro, an 88-year-old former real estate agent, shown in this handout image provided by his son Lionel Tauro, says he's feeling good about receiving the recognition earlier this month after his body successfully accepted a new kidney last year. The Ontario resident has defeated the odds and has been recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest kidney transplant recipient. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Lionel Tauro
Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam speaks during a press conference in Ottawa on Monday, June 19, 2023. Tam issued a statement Wednesday saying the Public Health Agency of Canada is aware of 40 measles cases in Canada so far this year.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Canada’s measles count hits 40 as top doc urges vaccinations

Teresa Tam says not enough children adequately vaccinated against highly contagious virus

Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam speaks during a press conference in Ottawa on Monday, June 19, 2023. Tam issued a statement Wednesday saying the Public Health Agency of Canada is aware of 40 measles cases in Canada so far this year.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Visitors outside the entrance of Nanaimo District Regional Hospital in the spring of 2016. John McKinley file photo

B.C. medical students offer 5-point plan for fixing emergency care

By Michelle Gamage, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter THE TYEE Medical students at…

  • Mar 26, 2024
Visitors outside the entrance of Nanaimo District Regional Hospital in the spring of 2016. John McKinley file photo
Medical tools are pictured in an exam room at a health clinic in Calgary, Friday, July 14, 2023. British Columbia, along with the Northwest Territories, has the most extensive scope of practice for naturopathic doctors in Canada, including the ability to prescribe drugs and the option to be certified to administer vaccines. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Medical doctors say naturopathic doctors no solution to primary care crisis

Debate over whether trained naturopaths have the skillset to be a patient’s primary care provider

Medical tools are pictured in an exam room at a health clinic in Calgary, Friday, July 14, 2023. British Columbia, along with the Northwest Territories, has the most extensive scope of practice for naturopathic doctors in Canada, including the ability to prescribe drugs and the option to be certified to administer vaccines. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
For social media companies, how to address health information has become a perennial question that has only grown in importance as the number of platforms multiplied and people began spending increasing amounts of time online. Now, it’s not uncommon to spot medical misinformation with almost every scroll.This March 18, 2010, file photo shows the YouTube website in Los Angeles. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Richard Vogel

Health misinformation creates ‘whack-a-mole’ situation for tech platforms

World Health Organization analysis found misinformation in up to 51 per cent of social media posts

For social media companies, how to address health information has become a perennial question that has only grown in importance as the number of platforms multiplied and people began spending increasing amounts of time online. Now, it’s not uncommon to spot medical misinformation with almost every scroll.This March 18, 2010, file photo shows the YouTube website in Los Angeles. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Richard Vogel
Dr. Francois Erasmus will be leaving the 2nd Ave Medical Clinic on June 1, one of an unconfirmed number of physicians leaving the Prince Rupert area in the coming months. Many residents are concerned that the departing physicians will increase the amount of emergency room closures at the Prince Rupert Regional Hospital. There have already been four emergency room closures since March 8. (Seth Forward/The Northern View)

Prince Rupert residents fear the worst as doctors leave community

Couple cconsidering leaving city after 40 years due to growing health care concerns

Dr. Francois Erasmus will be leaving the 2nd Ave Medical Clinic on June 1, one of an unconfirmed number of physicians leaving the Prince Rupert area in the coming months. Many residents are concerned that the departing physicians will increase the amount of emergency room closures at the Prince Rupert Regional Hospital. There have already been four emergency room closures since March 8. (Seth Forward/The Northern View)
FILE - A patient arrives at the Massachusetts General Hospital emergency entrance, Friday, April 3, 2020, in Boston. Doctors in Boston say they have transplanted a genetically modified pig kidney into a 62-year-old patient. Massachusetts General Hospital said Thursday, March 21, 2024, it’s the first time a pig kidney has been transplanted into a living person. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)

American surgeons transplant pig kidney into human patient in Boston

It’s the first time a genetically modified pig kidney has been transplanted into a living person

FILE - A patient arrives at the Massachusetts General Hospital emergency entrance, Friday, April 3, 2020, in Boston. Doctors in Boston say they have transplanted a genetically modified pig kidney into a 62-year-old patient. Massachusetts General Hospital said Thursday, March 21, 2024, it’s the first time a pig kidney has been transplanted into a living person. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)
Dr. Onye Nnorom, shown in this handout image, has helped create a new anti-Black racism course for Canada’s health professionals so they can “unlearn” longstanding discriminatory practices that she says contribute to inequitable care for a vulnerable group. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Dalla Lana School of Public Health-Rean Rahman

Unlearning racism focus of course aimed at Canadian health care providers

Anti-Black racism feeds long-standing discriminatory practices that contribute to inequitable care

Dr. Onye Nnorom, shown in this handout image, has helped create a new anti-Black racism course for Canada’s health professionals so they can “unlearn” longstanding discriminatory practices that she says contribute to inequitable care for a vulnerable group. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Dalla Lana School of Public Health-Rean Rahman
Anthony and Ronin Cianflone are desperately trying to get extra funding so Ronin can have one-to-one to support for his complex needs. (News Staff/ Thomas Eley)

Lack of autism funding leaves B.C. man and his son in a lurch

Number of children diagnosed with autism has consistently increased since 2008

Anthony and Ronin Cianflone are desperately trying to get extra funding so Ronin can have one-to-one to support for his complex needs. (News Staff/ Thomas Eley)
(Black Press Media file photo)

Accessing specialized health services a struggle for 500,000 seniors: StatCan

Referrals and wait times among the commonly reported problems

(Black Press Media file photo)
A British Columbia First Nation says racism in the health-care system persists despite efforts by the government and industry to combat the problem. Chief Joe Alphonse, Tribal Chair of the Tsilhqot’in National Government, pauses while speaking during a ceremony in New Westminster, B.C., on Thursday July 18, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. Indigenous concerns about doctor shortage, health care racism persist

Tsilhqot’in First Nation say calls to action resulting from 2020 report remain unaddressed

A British Columbia First Nation says racism in the health-care system persists despite efforts by the government and industry to combat the problem. Chief Joe Alphonse, Tribal Chair of the Tsilhqot’in National Government, pauses while speaking during a ceremony in New Westminster, B.C., on Thursday July 18, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix speaks during a health-care funding announcement, in Vancouver on February 12, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Immunotherapy treatment for lymphoma, leukemia now available in B.C.

Patients who needed the treatment would previously have to be sent outside the province or country

B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix speaks during a health-care funding announcement, in Vancouver on February 12, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Health Canada has seized a number of unauthorized health products from a store in Richmond, B.C., that “may pose serious health risks” to users. The Health Canada logo is seen in this undated handout. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO

Cold remedy containing opioid among products seized from B.C. health store

Health Canada says products seized in Richmond ‘may pose serious health risks’

Health Canada has seized a number of unauthorized health products from a store in Richmond, B.C., that “may pose serious health risks” to users. The Health Canada logo is seen in this undated handout. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO
A general view of the children’s COVID-19 vaccine clinic at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Sunday, December 12, 2021.A new non-profit group called the Canadian Covid Society launched Wednesday. The founders are two ER doctors, an engineer, a physicist and a governance expert. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Group launches to keep COVID on Canada’s national radar

Long-term effects, illness prevention group’s initial focus

A general view of the children’s COVID-19 vaccine clinic at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Sunday, December 12, 2021.A new non-profit group called the Canadian Covid Society launched Wednesday. The founders are two ER doctors, an engineer, a physicist and a governance expert. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
Cayley Benjamin, of Vancouver, shown in this handout image, is thrilled that British Columbia will finally be joining seven other provinces by funding in vitro fertilization but says the province should pay costs up front to people struggling to save thousands of dollars for the treatment. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Sarah Davids Photography

IVF: Hopes, concerns and realities as B.C. looks to publicly fund process

With most provinces on board, will B.C. learn lessons from paths already taken

Cayley Benjamin, of Vancouver, shown in this handout image, is thrilled that British Columbia will finally be joining seven other provinces by funding in vitro fertilization but says the province should pay costs up front to people struggling to save thousands of dollars for the treatment. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Sarah Davids Photography
Sidney resident Courtney MacMurchyher is feeling the benefits of a trip to Barcelona in Oct. 2023 for surgery to help with her rare disease, Chiari malformation. (Courtesy Maureen MacMurchyher)

Rarest day on the calendar draws attention to some of B.C.’s rarest diseases

Fundraiser allows access to treatment, outpouring boosts morale

Sidney resident Courtney MacMurchyher is feeling the benefits of a trip to Barcelona in Oct. 2023 for surgery to help with her rare disease, Chiari malformation. (Courtesy Maureen MacMurchyher)
B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix speaks in the legislature Monday, Feb. 26, about the recent death of a 23-year-old homeless shelter worker from Nanaimo. (Legislative Assembly of B.C. image)

Nanaimo shelter worker’s death raises health-care debate in legislature

Health minister says province continuing to try to add doctors and improve primary care

B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix speaks in the legislature Monday, Feb. 26, about the recent death of a 23-year-old homeless shelter worker from Nanaimo. (Legislative Assembly of B.C. image)
A doctor wears a lab coat and stethoscope in an exam room at a health clinic in Calgary, Friday, July 14, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Strep bug’s leap to flesh-eating disease a ‘random game’: doctor

Group A streptococcus bacteria can turn into strep throat, but can also claim someone’s leg or life

A doctor wears a lab coat and stethoscope in an exam room at a health clinic in Calgary, Friday, July 14, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
A new report says patients across Canada see more primary health-care teams, access to their own electronic records and faster licensing of foreign-trained doctors as key ways to solve the country’s family doctor crisis. Examination rooms at a health clinic in Calgary, Friday, July 14, 2023.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Canadians prescribe cure for Canada’s family doctor shortage

Primary-care teams, access to health records key fixes: report

A new report says patients across Canada see more primary health-care teams, access to their own electronic records and faster licensing of foreign-trained doctors as key ways to solve the country’s family doctor crisis. Examination rooms at a health clinic in Calgary, Friday, July 14, 2023.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh