Healthcare

According to a new Angus Reid survey, 27 per cent of British Columbians say their provincial government is doing a good or very good job in handling health care. (Black Press Media File Photo)

Less than 1 in 3 residents say B.C. is handling health care well: survey

In 2020, 63 per cent said government was doing good or very good job on health care

 

North Island Hospital – Campbell River and District. Photo by Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror

Careers in Caring program directs young people to health care jobs

NIEFS launches new employment training program

  • Jan 5, 2024

 

In this May 27, 2013 file photo, Ross Yaxley of Chilliwack makes his 100th blood donation. (Jenna Hauck/Black Press Media file photo)

1,500 B.C. blood donors needed by end of week, says Canadian Blood Services

Drop in donations over holidays causing increased need in first week of 2024

 

The petition begun by community activist Peter Rusland urging the province and Island Health to keep the current Cowichan District Hospital in public hands and used for medical purposes when the new CDH opens in 2027 has reached 2,000 signatures. (Citizen file photo)

Petition on future uses of old Cowichan hospital reaches 2,000

Petition calls for hospital to continue to be used for medical purposes

The petition begun by community activist Peter Rusland urging the province and Island Health to keep the current Cowichan District Hospital in public hands and used for medical purposes when the new CDH opens in 2027 has reached 2,000 signatures. (Citizen file photo)
The rise of new technologies has thrust artificial intelligence into the spotlight throughout 2023 — and health care is no exception. An electrophysiologist performs a ventricular tachycardia ablation at Sacre-Coeur Hospital, Wednesday, July 26, 2023 in Montreal.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

How experts expect artificial intelligence to advance health care in 2024

Researchers says AI could save hundreds of human hours during clinical studies, among other things

The rise of new technologies has thrust artificial intelligence into the spotlight throughout 2023 — and health care is no exception. An electrophysiologist performs a ventricular tachycardia ablation at Sacre-Coeur Hospital, Wednesday, July 26, 2023 in Montreal.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
The B.C. Office of the Seniors Advocate released its 2023 long-term care and assisted living directory report this week. (Black Press Media file photo)

Food standards, over-medication high on B.C. seniors’ care list of concerns

Office of B.C. Seniors Advocate releases long-term care and assisted-living directory

The B.C. Office of the Seniors Advocate released its 2023 long-term care and assisted living directory report this week. (Black Press Media file photo)
Luanora Irtenkauf, 55, died on Sunday after a 14-hour wait for medical treatment at Abbotsford Regional Hospital. Her family is now seeking answers.

Woman dies after 14-hour wait at B.C. hospital; family wants answers

Family of Luanora Irtenkauf, 55, launches complaint and seeks legal advice

Luanora Irtenkauf, 55, died on Sunday after a 14-hour wait for medical treatment at Abbotsford Regional Hospital. Her family is now seeking answers.
British Columbia’s provincial government says it is going ahead with the construction of a “state-of-the-art” research centre at the new St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver. B.C. Premier David Eby holds a hard hat with a hospital sign affixed during an announcement in Surrey, B.C., Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

B.C. approves health research centre construction at new St. Paul’s Hospital

The $638M ‘state-of-the-art’ facility will be built next to the new hospital

British Columbia’s provincial government says it is going ahead with the construction of a “state-of-the-art” research centre at the new St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver. B.C. Premier David Eby holds a hard hat with a hospital sign affixed during an announcement in Surrey, B.C., Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
The CT Scanner at the Port Hardy Hospital. (Island Health Facebook photo)

Mobile CT scanner operational at Port Hardy Hospital

The mobile CT scanner, a Siemens SOMATOM go Top, is now operational following testing

The CT Scanner at the Port Hardy Hospital. (Island Health Facebook photo)
The B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives named four women on Dec. 11, 2023 who are reportedly practising midwifery unlawfully in the province. (Christian Bowen/Unsplash)

B.C. regulator warns public of 4 women offering unlawful midwifery services

Only licensed midwives allowed to offer birthing services in B.C., regulatory college reminds people

The B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives named four women on Dec. 11, 2023 who are reportedly practising midwifery unlawfully in the province. (Christian Bowen/Unsplash)
In this April 21, 2020 file photo, a nurse puts on her personal protective equipment prior to entering a patient’s room in the COVID-19 intensive care unit at St. Paul’s hospital in downtown Vancouver. B.C. health officials provided a respiratory illness update on Dec. 11, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

COVID-19 cases remain low, but flu and RSV creeping up: B.C. health officer

Dr. Bonnie Henry urging people to get vaccines ahead of holiday season

In this April 21, 2020 file photo, a nurse puts on her personal protective equipment prior to entering a patient’s room in the COVID-19 intensive care unit at St. Paul’s hospital in downtown Vancouver. B.C. health officials provided a respiratory illness update on Dec. 11, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Steve Farmer (left) and Kathy Green (right) deliver boxes of popcorn to health-care professionals at Victoria General Hospital on Friday (Dec. 8). (Brendan Mayer/News Staff)

Transplant recipients thank Greater Victoria hospital staff with popcorn

Transplant recipients delivered popcorn at Victoria General Hospital and Royal Jubilee Hospital

Steve Farmer (left) and Kathy Green (right) deliver boxes of popcorn to health-care professionals at Victoria General Hospital on Friday (Dec. 8). (Brendan Mayer/News Staff)
Donovan James, Kristin Logan and their daughter Cipher will be together this Christmas after Logan’s cancer surgery at the University of Washington Medical Centre. Photo: GoFundMe

Island cancer patient abandons B.C. healthcare to seek treatment in U.S.

Case becomes lightning rod for issues plaguing cancer treatment in the province.

Donovan James, Kristin Logan and their daughter Cipher will be together this Christmas after Logan’s cancer surgery at the University of Washington Medical Centre. Photo: GoFundMe
Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, toured the site of the new Tsow Tun Le Lem Society Healing House, located on Cowichan Tribes’ land, with other stakeholders on Nov. 27. Pictured from left are Daniella David, chair of the Tsow-Tun Le Lum Society, Colleen Erickson, chair of the First Nations Health Authority, Minister Whiteside, Richard Jock, CEO of the FNHA, and Nola Jeffrey, executive director of the Tsow-Tun Le Lum Society. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

New healing house for First Nations completed in Cowichan

Tsow-Tun Le Lem Society Healing House set to open in January

Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, toured the site of the new Tsow Tun Le Lem Society Healing House, located on Cowichan Tribes’ land, with other stakeholders on Nov. 27. Pictured from left are Daniella David, chair of the Tsow-Tun Le Lum Society, Colleen Erickson, chair of the First Nations Health Authority, Minister Whiteside, Richard Jock, CEO of the FNHA, and Nola Jeffrey, executive director of the Tsow-Tun Le Lum Society. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
B.C. Human Rights Commissioner Kasari Govender speaks in Vancouver, on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. On Nov. 30, 2023 she announced an inquiry into involuntary detainment under the Adult Guardianship Act. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. health agencies ordered to release data on forcibly detained adults

Human rights commissioner says inquiry will examine use of Adult Guardianship Act on vulnerable adults

B.C. Human Rights Commissioner Kasari Govender speaks in Vancouver, on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. On Nov. 30, 2023 she announced an inquiry into involuntary detainment under the Adult Guardianship Act. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Hospital Employees Union members from Vernon’s Heron Grove hosted a two-hour rally outside the facility Wednesday, Sept. 27. Staff at Heron Grove and six other facilities owned and operated by the Good Samaritan Canada Society have now ratified a new five-year collective bargaining agreement. (Roger Knox - Black Press)

B.C. facility HEU workers ratify deal

Five-year deal signed into 2025 at Good Samaritan Canada facilities in Vernon, Penticton, Salmon Arm

Hospital Employees Union members from Vernon’s Heron Grove hosted a two-hour rally outside the facility Wednesday, Sept. 27. Staff at Heron Grove and six other facilities owned and operated by the Good Samaritan Canada Society have now ratified a new five-year collective bargaining agreement. (Roger Knox - Black Press)
Nyasha Katedza has launched a GoFundMe to help her through medical school. (Photo contributed)

B.C. woman faces racism, homelessness chasing dream of being a doctor

Nyasha Katedza is raising funds to help her through medical school

  • Nov 24, 2023
Nyasha Katedza has launched a GoFundMe to help her through medical school. (Photo contributed)
A new database of emerging “designer drugs” is allowing B.C. labs to make more educated decisions about what clinical tests to invest in and how to confirm which drugs are currently circulating. (Mireille Raad/Unsplash)

Emerging ‘designer drugs’ can be ID’d faster in B.C. with new urinalysis method

Researchers say identification of drugs key for harm reduction

A new database of emerging “designer drugs” is allowing B.C. labs to make more educated decisions about what clinical tests to invest in and how to confirm which drugs are currently circulating. (Mireille Raad/Unsplash)
In this 2012 file photo the then director of the B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Dr. Julio Montaner, speaks with a patient about new annual funding to combat HIV/AIDS. In 2023, advocates continue to call for B.C. to improve access to an injectable HIV drug. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

Injectable HIV drug less accessible to patients in B.C.: doctor

In B.C., a provincial body decides who gets access to the new drug, instead of patient’s doctors

In this 2012 file photo the then director of the B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Dr. Julio Montaner, speaks with a patient about new annual funding to combat HIV/AIDS. In 2023, advocates continue to call for B.C. to improve access to an injectable HIV drug. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
FILE - The province reinstated mask mandates in health-care settings on Oct. 3, 2023. (Ashley Wadhwani/Black Press Media)

Early COVID peak levelling off in B.C.; 847K boosters administered: Henry

1 million British Columbians have received their flu vaccine so far this season

FILE - The province reinstated mask mandates in health-care settings on Oct. 3, 2023. (Ashley Wadhwani/Black Press Media)