BC Health

Dr. John Lam tunes in on the telehealth big screen as optometrist Dr. Gary Jassal tests the new equipment with eye care technician Eilidh Morrison during a Sunday training session in Hitacu. (Nora O’Malley photo)

Telehealth enabled eye clinic opens in Ucluelet First Nations community of Hitacu

New eye care centre is the first of its kind in B.C. and open to everyone living on the West Coast

Dr. John Lam tunes in on the telehealth big screen as optometrist Dr. Gary Jassal tests the new equipment with eye care technician Eilidh Morrison during a Sunday training session in Hitacu. (Nora O’Malley photo)
Assisted-suicide supporters wait outside the B.C. Court of Appeal before the court overturned a lower court ruling that said Canada's assisted-suicide ban violated the charter rights of gravely ill Canadians, in Vancouver, B.C., on Thursday October 10, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Opposition mounts to forced transfers of medically assisted death seekers in B.C.

Transfers happen when a patient is treated in a facility that forbids medical assistance in dying

Assisted-suicide supporters wait outside the B.C. Court of Appeal before the court overturned a lower court ruling that said Canada's assisted-suicide ban violated the charter rights of gravely ill Canadians, in Vancouver, B.C., on Thursday October 10, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
As B.C. nears two years since the first COVID-19 case was confirmed, Health Minister Adrian Dix in Vancouver and Dr. Bonnie Henry in Victoria update pandemic conditions, Jan. 14, 2022. (B.C. government photo)

B.C. health officials expected to announce plan for easing some COVID-19 restrictions

Current provincial health orders scheduled to expire Wednesday

As B.C. nears two years since the first COVID-19 case was confirmed, Health Minister Adrian Dix in Vancouver and Dr. Bonnie Henry in Victoria update pandemic conditions, Jan. 14, 2022. (B.C. government photo)
Beth Burton-Krahn (right) stands among her BC Cancer Victoria colleagues. She says the holidays can be especially stressful for her clients impacted by cancer. (Courtesy of BC Cancer)

Loved ones need extra support during the holidays: BC Cancer

Victoria counsellor stresses the importance of connection for those impacted by disease

Beth Burton-Krahn (right) stands among her BC Cancer Victoria colleagues. She says the holidays can be especially stressful for her clients impacted by cancer. (Courtesy of BC Cancer)
Newly trained perfusionist Kris Hromadnik working during a coronary arterial bypass case. (Supplied by Roger Stanzel)

Demand for perfusionists skyrockets during pandemic, with shortages in hospitals across the country

The professionals who manage life support are in high demand during the pandemic

Newly trained perfusionist Kris Hromadnik working during a coronary arterial bypass case. (Supplied by Roger Stanzel)
The B.C. government has reported 405 new cases of COVID-19 in its Dec. 3 update. Pictured here, a traveller exiting the COVID-19 testing centre for arriving international passengers at Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., on Dec. 2. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

B.C. reports 405 new cases of COVID-19

Six new deaths from COVID-19, says ministry

The B.C. government has reported 405 new cases of COVID-19 in its Dec. 3 update. Pictured here, a traveller exiting the COVID-19 testing centre for arriving international passengers at Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., on Dec. 2. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
There is no truth to rumours about stillbirths at Lions Gate Hospital being related to mothers being vaccinated against COVID-19, states Vancouver Coastal Health. (Black Press Media file)

B.C. health authority dispels stillbirth COVID vaccination rumours at North Van hospital

Vancouver Coastal Health says no evidence of added risk of early pregnancy loss after vaccination

There is no truth to rumours about stillbirths at Lions Gate Hospital being related to mothers being vaccinated against COVID-19, states Vancouver Coastal Health. (Black Press Media file)
A woman receives a nasal swab test at a pop-up COVID-19 assessment centre. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette A woman receives a nasal swab test at a pop-up COVID-19 assessment centre at the Angela James Arena, in Toronto, Wednesday, May 19, 2021. Auditor General Karen Horgan assesses Canada’s efforts to procure medical equipment in the midst of a global pandemic. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

COVID-related medical cost coverage extended for B.C. residents without MSP

New residents must undergo a three-month wait period before becoming eligible for MSP

A woman receives a nasal swab test at a pop-up COVID-19 assessment centre. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette A woman receives a nasal swab test at a pop-up COVID-19 assessment centre at the Angela James Arena, in Toronto, Wednesday, May 19, 2021. Auditor General Karen Horgan assesses Canada’s efforts to procure medical equipment in the midst of a global pandemic. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Harry Charles (Chuck) Blakey, 72, died in his Parksville home while his family waited on hold after calling 911 for an ambulance dispatch. (Barbara Blakey photo)

Parksville man, 72, dies in home while family waits on hold with 911 dispatch

Daughter blames ‘governmental system that has allowed this to happen’

Harry Charles (Chuck) Blakey, 72, died in his Parksville home while his family waited on hold after calling 911 for an ambulance dispatch. (Barbara Blakey photo)
The province is embarking on what it calls “the largest hiring push in B.C.’s history” for paramedics in rural and remote locations. (File - Black Press Media)

Hundreds of new B.C. paramedic positions announced as 24 stations go to full-time staffing

Health minister Adrian Dix says funding will better support health care workers

The province is embarking on what it calls “the largest hiring push in B.C.’s history” for paramedics in rural and remote locations. (File - Black Press Media)
AccessBC continues its advocacy for no-cost prescription contraception in B.C through a letter-writing campaign. (Black Press Media file photo)

Saanich-based group continues its call for no-cost birth control

Access BC wants free contraception included in 2022 provincial budget

AccessBC continues its advocacy for no-cost prescription contraception in B.C through a letter-writing campaign. (Black Press Media file photo)
Removing more of the red tape that puts up barriers for general and nurse practitioners to practise in B.C. could alleviate some of the wait list and availability issues curently plaguing the province, says a University of Victoria nursing school trainer. (Black Press Media file photo)

Contracted practitioners in Saanich help reduce waitlist for sexual health exams

Island Sexual Health tweaks its model to address urgent need in community

Removing more of the red tape that puts up barriers for general and nurse practitioners to practise in B.C. could alleviate some of the wait list and availability issues curently plaguing the province, says a University of Victoria nursing school trainer. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Island Medical Program is looking for female practitioners who are comfortable with their bodies to teach students at University of Victoria how to medically examine female patients. (Photo courtesy of Island Health)

Female practitioners sought to teach physical exams to Greater Victoria med students

Training involves acting as both instructor and patient for sensitive female examinations

The Island Medical Program is looking for female practitioners who are comfortable with their bodies to teach students at University of Victoria how to medically examine female patients. (Photo courtesy of Island Health)
B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix, left, and Premier John Horgan chat with attendees after the announcement of the creation of primary care networks, targeting people without a family doctor, in May 2018. (Photo courtesy B.C. Government)

Langford couple ‘left high and dry’ in search for a family physician

West Shore centre has matched 3,300 less patients with medical practitioners than promised in 2018

B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix, left, and Premier John Horgan chat with attendees after the announcement of the creation of primary care networks, targeting people without a family doctor, in May 2018. (Photo courtesy B.C. Government)
B.C. Nurses’ Union is urging the province to address the violence nurses are facing at work as well as a staffing shortage that’s fueling widespread burnout among workers. (Black Press Media files)

‘Nurses are giving up’: Union calls on province to address violence, staff shortages

Top issues were made known this week at B.C. Nurses’ Union annual convention, which saw 500 nurses attend virtually

B.C. Nurses’ Union is urging the province to address the violence nurses are facing at work as well as a staffing shortage that’s fueling widespread burnout among workers. (Black Press Media files)
Test positivity rates in Greater Victoria from April 23 to 29. (BC CDC data)

Leaked data shows View Royal top of COVID-19 list for Greater Victoria

View Royal mayor says week was a blip for the township, not the norm

Test positivity rates in Greater Victoria from April 23 to 29. (BC CDC data)
Vancouver resident Angélica Vargas, 41, suffered third-degree burns to half her body after a candle lit a dress she was wearing on fire at a dinner party in November 2019. (Submitted)

‘I’m still alive’: B.C. burn survivor shares road to recovery after candle accident

For more than a year after her accident, Vancouver resident Angélica Vargas couldn’t look in the mirror. Now, she’s learning to accept her scars.

Vancouver resident Angélica Vargas, 41, suffered third-degree burns to half her body after a candle lit a dress she was wearing on fire at a dinner party in November 2019. (Submitted)
Announced Tuesday, March 5, by the Ministry of Health, women bearing children have been prioritized in the province’s immunization rollout. (Black Press Media files)

Pregnant women in B.C. now eligible for COVID-19 vaccine

Emerging provincial data shows pregnant women experience COVID-19 illness at a similar severity rate as people in their 50s

Announced Tuesday, March 5, by the Ministry of Health, women bearing children have been prioritized in the province’s immunization rollout. (Black Press Media files)
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry answers questions during a press conference. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Professor asks UBC to reconsider Dr. Henry’s honorary degree, cites conflict of interest

‘At the minimum, please consider postponing it to after the current public health emergency is over’: Sumeet Gulati

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry answers questions during a press conference. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
CMA president-elect Dr. Alika Lafontaine, the Alberta-based inventor of the Safespace app that allows people to report experiences of racism within B.C.’s health-care sector. (Canadian Medical Association)

New app a ‘safe space’ for Indigenous people to report racism in B.C. health care

Data collected from anonymous reports will help identify hotspots in the province, drive solutions for change

CMA president-elect Dr. Alika Lafontaine, the Alberta-based inventor of the Safespace app that allows people to report experiences of racism within B.C.’s health-care sector. (Canadian Medical Association)