Healthcare

Premier David Eby says he wants a rapid solution to finally bring about labour peace at ports in B.C., but warned against legislating longshore workers back to work. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

Premier Eby wants ‘rapid solution’ to port strike – but one without legislation

But Eby signalled opposition to federal legislation, saying it takes too long

Premier David Eby says he wants a rapid solution to finally bring about labour peace at ports in B.C., but warned against legislating longshore workers back to work. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
A new report calls for “urgent” action given the “breadth of sexual harassment” in the provincial ambulance service. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

Report finds ‘breadth of sexual harassment’ at BC Ambulance Service

Chief ambulance officer at BC Emergency Health Services says changes are underway

A new report calls for “urgent” action given the “breadth of sexual harassment” in the provincial ambulance service. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
A strike vote will be conducted among staff at Vernon’s Heron Grove facility and six other such long-term residences in B.C. in a dispute with the facilities’ employer, Good Samaritan Canada, over contracting out jobs and benefits. (Morning Star - file photo)

Staff at Okanagan-Shuswap seniors care homes heading to strike vote

7 B.C. facilities; two main issues fueling the fire

A strike vote will be conducted among staff at Vernon’s Heron Grove facility and six other such long-term residences in B.C. in a dispute with the facilities’ employer, Good Samaritan Canada, over contracting out jobs and benefits. (Morning Star - file photo)
The Primacy North Okanagan Medical Clinic in the Vernon Superstore is closing doors Sept. 30, 2023. (Google Street View)

North Okanagan walk-in clinic closing permanently

Primacy Medical Clinic in the Vernon Superstore is closing Sept. 30

The Primacy North Okanagan Medical Clinic in the Vernon Superstore is closing doors Sept. 30, 2023. (Google Street View)
Health Minister Adrian Dix said (B.C. government photo)

New registry to find family doctors, other primary care open in B.C.

Health Minister Adrian Dix publicly announced the expansion Wednesday

Health Minister Adrian Dix said (B.C. government photo)
Tai August fitting a young person with a breast binder in Salmon Arm. (Tai August/Submitted)

Gender-affirming care for youth is lifesaving, say B.C. experts

Transgender youth are at increased risk of mental distress without access to gender affirming care

Tai August fitting a young person with a breast binder in Salmon Arm. (Tai August/Submitted)
By searching symptoms in the Medimap software, the site will recommend pharmacies available for treatment of the specified symptoms or ailment.

1 month into new rules for pharmacy prescriptions, B.C. data shows popularity

Canadian company ‘Medimap’ aims to reduce clinic strain by recommending pharmacies for treatment

By searching symptoms in the Medimap software, the site will recommend pharmacies available for treatment of the specified symptoms or ailment.
The new five-storey care home facility is expected to be completed by 2027. (City of Abbotsford photo)

New long-term care home coming to Abbotsford

Five-storey facility set to begin construction in 2025 and be completed by 2027

The new five-storey care home facility is expected to be completed by 2027. (City of Abbotsford photo)
B.C’s Health Minister Adrian Dix, right, and Fraser Health CEO Dr. Victoria Lee at a health care announcement at Surrey Memorial Hospital in Surrey on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo: Anna Burns)

Dix plans summer tour as B.C. hospitals, health care facing ‘crises’

Health minister says challenges different in each region, but broad issue of healthcare is a B.C.-wide problem

B.C’s Health Minister Adrian Dix, right, and Fraser Health CEO Dr. Victoria Lee at a health care announcement at Surrey Memorial Hospital in Surrey on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Photo: Anna Burns)
Premier David Eby said B.C.’s economy is doing well overall in pointing to labour shortages. But he acknowledged that some sectors are struggling following the release of a report critical of higher costs caused by government policies. Eby rejected calls for changes to the Employers Health Taxes, but added that government is working with the forestry sector and parts of the tourism/hospitality sector. (John Arendt - Summerland Review)

Report questions B.C.’s Employer Health Tax, but Eby says no plans for change

Eby promises support for struggling sectors after release of report critical of government

Premier David Eby said B.C.’s economy is doing well overall in pointing to labour shortages. But he acknowledged that some sectors are struggling following the release of a report critical of higher costs caused by government policies. Eby rejected calls for changes to the Employers Health Taxes, but added that government is working with the forestry sector and parts of the tourism/hospitality sector. (John Arendt - Summerland Review)
A person holds up an intrauterine device, IUD, outside of the B.C. legislature. B.C. made several types of contraception free to residents with Medical Services Plans April 1, and healthcare workers are seeing an increase in requests for IUDs or information about them. (AccessBC)

Healthcare workers see rise in IUD interest 2 months into B.C. making contraception free

Waits for IUD insertion double since April 1; still calls for better access in rural B.C.

A person holds up an intrauterine device, IUD, outside of the B.C. legislature. B.C. made several types of contraception free to residents with Medical Services Plans April 1, and healthcare workers are seeing an increase in requests for IUDs or information about them. (AccessBC)
Kelowna pharmacist Craig Tostenson. (Facebook)

B.C. pharmacists empowered to treat 21 minor ailments

Greater access also granted for birth control options

Kelowna pharmacist Craig Tostenson. (Facebook)
The provincial government has made B.C. the first province in Canada to offer free prescription contraceptives to all women. Starting June 1, participating pharmacists will be able to write prescriptions for contraceptives as well as for 21 minor ailments. (Photo credit: Pixabay)

B.C. pharmacists to treat minor ailments, prescribe contraception as of June 1

Covered minor ailments include allergies, acne, cold sores, pink eye and shingles among others

The provincial government has made B.C. the first province in Canada to offer free prescription contraceptives to all women. Starting June 1, participating pharmacists will be able to write prescriptions for contraceptives as well as for 21 minor ailments. (Photo credit: Pixabay)
Hundreds of nurses in Vancouver for a B.C. Nurses Union conference marched along the streets of Vancouver Wednesday (May 31, 2023) calling for safer staffing levels. (Lauren Collins)

PHOTOS: Protest highlights B.C.’s ‘dire’ nurse staffing shortage

Hundreds of nurses took to the streets of Vancouver urging that ‘safe staffing saves lives’

Hundreds of nurses in Vancouver for a B.C. Nurses Union conference marched along the streets of Vancouver Wednesday (May 31, 2023) calling for safer staffing levels. (Lauren Collins)
Physician assistants are valued members of the healthcare system in many provinces in Canada, but not in B.C. ADOBE STOCK IMAGE

‘Door has been cracked open’ for integration of physician assistants in British Columbia

College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC is in early stages of policy work with the ministry

Physician assistants are valued members of the healthcare system in many provinces in Canada, but not in B.C. ADOBE STOCK IMAGE
Serene Harcus says Interior Health’s internal mental health support system has left her without support or the counselling she needs. (Rebecca Willson/Salmon Arm Observer)

‘Falling through the cracks’: Mental health support gap leaves B.C. care aid struggling

“A person should not have to beg for their life because of mental health”

Serene Harcus says Interior Health’s internal mental health support system has left her without support or the counselling she needs. (Rebecca Willson/Salmon Arm Observer)
Ascent Helicopters owner Trent Lemke excited to have landed a major contract with Emergency Health Services. (PQN News file photo)

Parksville helicopter company wins $544-million B.C. air ambulance contract

Ascent Helicopters to purchase 7 new aircraft to be located in major B.C. centres

Ascent Helicopters owner Trent Lemke excited to have landed a major contract with Emergency Health Services. (PQN News file photo)
FILE - Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy testifies before the Senate Finance Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Feb. 8, 2022, on youth mental health care. Widespread loneliness in the U.S. is posing health risks as deadly as smoking a dozen cigarettes daily, costing the health industry billions of dollars annually, the U.S. surgeon general said Tuesday in declaring the latest public health epidemic. About half of U.S. adults say they’ve experienced loneliness, Murthy said in a new, 81-page report from his office. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

Loneliness poses risks as deadly as smoking: surgeon general

Widespread loneliness in the U.S. poses health risks as deadly as smoking…

FILE - Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy testifies before the Senate Finance Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Feb. 8, 2022, on youth mental health care. Widespread loneliness in the U.S. is posing health risks as deadly as smoking a dozen cigarettes daily, costing the health industry billions of dollars annually, the U.S. surgeon general said Tuesday in declaring the latest public health epidemic. About half of U.S. adults say they’ve experienced loneliness, Murthy said in a new, 81-page report from his office. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)
Adrian Dix, B.C. minister of health, said the settlement between the Medical Services Commission and Telus Health over its LifePlus is evidence of his government’s commitment to protect public health care. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

B.C., Telus Health settle dispute over allegations of extra billing

LifePlus continues, but will no longer offer physician services to new clients

Adrian Dix, B.C. minister of health, said the settlement between the Medical Services Commission and Telus Health over its LifePlus is evidence of his government’s commitment to protect public health care. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
FILE - The Eli Lilly & Co. corporate headquarters are seen in Indianapolis on April 26, 2017. Tirzepatide, an drug from the company approved to treat type 2 diabetes under the brand name Mounjaro, helped people with the disease who were overweight or had obesity lose up to 16% of their body weight, or more than 34 pounds, over nearly 17 months, the company said on Thursday, April 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)

Powerful new obesity drug poised to upend weight loss care

Industry analysts predict that tirzepatide could become one of the top-selling drugs ever

FILE - The Eli Lilly & Co. corporate headquarters are seen in Indianapolis on April 26, 2017. Tirzepatide, an drug from the company approved to treat type 2 diabetes under the brand name Mounjaro, helped people with the disease who were overweight or had obesity lose up to 16% of their body weight, or more than 34 pounds, over nearly 17 months, the company said on Thursday, April 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)