Healthcare

Positive, left, and negative COVID-19 antigen rapid tests are picture in Calgary, Alta., Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022. As research suggests that COVID-19 has infected roughly half of the Canadian population, the emergence of an even more contagious version of the virus is raising concerns that some people may be in for another round.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Already had COVID-19? Here’s what we know about reinfections

About half of Canadians have had COVID-19 so far, research suggests

Positive, left, and negative COVID-19 antigen rapid tests are picture in Calgary, Alta., Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022. As research suggests that COVID-19 has infected roughly half of the Canadian population, the emergence of an even more contagious version of the virus is raising concerns that some people may be in for another round.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Liberal MP Hedy Fry speaks during a news conference in Ottawa, on June 15, 2017. Fry introduced a private bill in late June, Bill C-295, that would amend Section 215 of the Criminal Code to specifically criminalize owners and managers of long-term care homes for failing to provide the “necessaries of life” to vulnerable adults. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Ottawa exploring criminal reform as Liberal MP tables bill on long-term care neglect

Bill C-295 looks to criminalize care home owners who fail to provide residents with necessities

Liberal MP Hedy Fry speaks during a news conference in Ottawa, on June 15, 2017. Fry introduced a private bill in late June, Bill C-295, that would amend Section 215 of the Criminal Code to specifically criminalize owners and managers of long-term care homes for failing to provide the “necessaries of life” to vulnerable adults. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix speaking at the May 13, 2022 opening of the new Primary Care Centre in Chilliwack. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

Brand new B.C. primary care centre can’t find doctors to staff it

The clinic opened in May, but the province and Fraser Health can’t find people to work there

B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix speaking at the May 13, 2022 opening of the new Primary Care Centre in Chilliwack. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
Signs pinned up by Moms Stop the Harm members outside Victoria’s Fairmont Empress hotel, where Canada’s premiers were meeting on July 12. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Overdoses, healthcare crises spur Victoria protests at premiers’ meeting

Groups gathered outside the Fairmont Empress in side-by-side calls for action

Signs pinned up by Moms Stop the Harm members outside Victoria’s Fairmont Empress hotel, where Canada’s premiers were meeting on July 12. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)
B.C. Premier John Horgan pauses after announcing he will not run in the next provincial election during a news conference in Vancouver, on Tuesday, June 28, 2022. A group representing emergency room doctors across the country has a message for Canada’s premiers: come up with a co-ordinated plan to prevent their workplaces from being closed due to staffing shortages that are creating an unprecedented crisis in health care. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Ottawa’s share of health-care funding to be top concern at premiers’ meeting in B.C.

Premiers calling for feds to increase their share of spending from 22 to 35 per cent

B.C. Premier John Horgan pauses after announcing he will not run in the next provincial election during a news conference in Vancouver, on Tuesday, June 28, 2022. A group representing emergency room doctors across the country has a message for Canada’s premiers: come up with a co-ordinated plan to prevent their workplaces from being closed due to staffing shortages that are creating an unprecedented crisis in health care. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Dave Saunders, former Colwood mayor and an advocate for increased long-term care solutions on the West Shore, is using the Saunders Family Foundation to lobby for a new approach to community health care. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

VIDEO: Vancouver Island team proposing real solutions to B.C.’s family doctor crisis

Integrated approach to community health care promoted by former Colwood mayor

Dave Saunders, former Colwood mayor and an advocate for increased long-term care solutions on the West Shore, is using the Saunders Family Foundation to lobby for a new approach to community health care. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
A doctor examines a patient with a stethoscope in her doctor’s office. In B.C., some family doctors are calling for a switch from the current payment model that compensates them per patient, to one that compensates them regardless of the time they spend with each person. CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Thomas Kienzle

B.C. family doctors say time-based payment model one way to create less stress, better care

Current fee-for-service model pays doctors per patient regardless of how long they spend with them

A doctor examines a patient with a stethoscope in her doctor’s office. In B.C., some family doctors are calling for a switch from the current payment model that compensates them per patient, to one that compensates them regardless of the time they spend with each person. CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Thomas Kienzle
A nurse is silhouetted behind a glass panel as she tends to a patient at the Bluewater Health Hospital in Sarnia, Ont., on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Salmon Arm nurse suspended for mistreating patients who wouldn’t sleep

Feizal Halim will no longer be allowed to be the only nurse on duty

A nurse is silhouetted behind a glass panel as she tends to a patient at the Bluewater Health Hospital in Sarnia, Ont., on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
Dozens hold signs and show support 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. reconsidering signing incentives for new family doctors following push back

Resident doctors say offer didn’t come close to addressing real problems

Dozens hold signs and show support at the BC Health Care Matters rally on May 19, 2022, at the legislature for World Family Doctor Day. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)
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
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)

Island 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)

Jeneece Place-style patient family accommodations proposed for 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 sparks hundreds to rally in Victoria

Advocates say 1 in 5 people in B.C. lack a general practitioner

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)
A new rural physician incentive program has been launched by the Alberta government. (Black Press file photo)

Vancouver Island officials call on the province to treat doctor shortage

About a third of Saanich Peninsula residents were without their own 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)

Vancouver Island’s ‘Aquaman’ makes waves across Saanich Inlet to benefit hospital

Lucas Gentina continues to raise funds for Saanich Peninsula 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)
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)

Recruits needed to fill Vancouver Island’s medical office assistant gaps

Victoria’s Sprott-Shaw college recruiting for in-demand medical admin programs

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)

“Mortal’ B.C. nurses rally at legislature, 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)