BC Health

THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Merritt emergency department closed due to staff shortages

Patients can access care at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops

 

More recent fires across the Okanagan have prompted a provincial smoky skies bulletin. (Jennifer Smith-Morning Star Photo)

Immense wildfire smoke causes air quality advisory for B.C. Interior

The Okanagan has been pounded with wildfires the past couple of days

 

(File photo)

Extreme temperatures hitting B.C.’s Interior

Create a check-in plan with high-risk family and friends

 

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)
Noctiluca scintillans, also known as red tide algae blooms, were spotted midway along the Patricia Bay beach walking path in North Saanich. (Photo of Courtesy of Frank Towler)

Poisonous algae bloom sparks ban on shellfish harvesting near Victoria

If the contaminated shellfish are eaten by humans there could be fatal side effects

Noctiluca scintillans, also known as red tide algae blooms, were spotted midway along the Patricia Bay beach walking path in North Saanich. (Photo of Courtesy of Frank Towler)
In this May 6, 2010 file photo, a radiologist uses a magnifying glass to check mammograms for breast cancer in Los Angeles. (Damian Dovarganes/THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP)

Revolutionizing breast cancer surgery: B.C. hospital adopts innovative technology

In a B.C. first, Mount Saint Joseph Hospital improves patient experience in the tumour removal process, making it less invasive and more efficient

In this May 6, 2010 file photo, a radiologist uses a magnifying glass to check mammograms for breast cancer in Los Angeles. (Damian Dovarganes/THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP)
The Supreme Court of Canada is pictured in Ottawa on Friday, March 3, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Doctor says health wait times now permanent after high court rejects challenge

‘I just want to say it is an exceptional victory for public health care in B.C.,’ Health Minister says

The Supreme Court of Canada is pictured in Ottawa on Friday, March 3, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
(Okanagan College nursing students/Submitted)

Okanagan College nursing students speak out against program transfer to UBCO

The provincial government decided to consolidate the UBCO and OC nursing programs

(Okanagan College nursing students/Submitted)
Salvatore Vetro’s recall petition against Premier David Eby has failed after Vetro did not submit the necessary paperwork by March 20. (Photo courtesy of Salvatore Vetro)

Recall petition against Premier Eby fails

Salvatore Vetro, which launched the petition, failed to submit it by March 20 deadline

Salvatore Vetro’s recall petition against Premier David Eby has failed after Vetro did not submit the necessary paperwork by March 20. (Photo courtesy of Salvatore Vetro)
BC Cancer Foundation - Tour De Cure

Pedal for Hope: Tour De Cure rallies cyclists to transform cancer care

2,000 riders, volunteers prepare for 200-km summer fundraising ride from Cloverdale to Hope

  • Mar 20, 2023
BC Cancer Foundation - Tour De Cure
The province has rolled out a plan to strengthen cancer care in B.C., with a focus on cervical cancer prevention. (Canva Creative/Black Press Media)

Access to cervical cancer screenings still lagging behind in some B.C. communities

At-home HPV screenings to go province-wide in B.C. within the year: Dix

The province has rolled out a plan to strengthen cancer care in B.C., with a focus on cervical cancer prevention. (Canva Creative/Black Press Media)
Dr. Emanuela Tura says all of her invoices for last month have been rejected. (Courtesy Dr. Emanuela Tura)

‘Hitting a wall’: Victoria doctor fed up after B.C. fails to pay her for an entire month

Dr. Emanuela Tura says B.C. didn’t pay her for January, MSP says it’s a ‘glitch’

Dr. Emanuela Tura says all of her invoices for last month have been rejected. (Courtesy Dr. Emanuela Tura)
Premier David Eby (centre) was joined by Minister of Energy, Mines, and Low Carbon Innovation Josie Osborne, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation Brenda Bailey, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Murray Rankin, Attorney General Nikki Sharma, Minister of Housing Ravi Kahlon and Minister of Environment and Climate Change George Heyman.

Eby ‘optimistic’ about upcoming health care talks in Ottawa; feds keep cards close to vest

Provinces want Ottawa to raise Canada Health Transfer from 22 per cent to 35 per cent

Premier David Eby (centre) was joined by Minister of Energy, Mines, and Low Carbon Innovation Josie Osborne, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation Brenda Bailey, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Murray Rankin, Attorney General Nikki Sharma, Minister of Housing Ravi Kahlon and Minister of Environment and Climate Change George Heyman.
Wayne Lim is the general manager of the Te Awamutu Medical Centre, on New Zealand’s North Island. The clinic cares for 14,000 patients, and typically has two physician associates among his staff of 50. Photo via YouTube

While demand for physician assistants grows worldwide, B.C. uses a ‘wait and see’ approach

This is the third instalment in a series of articles looking at…

Wayne Lim is the general manager of the Te Awamutu Medical Centre, on New Zealand’s North Island. The clinic cares for 14,000 patients, and typically has two physician associates among his staff of 50. Photo via YouTube
A child with the flu can have hallucinations, but be assured these episodes can be brief and don’t require treatment, says Dr. Kathryn MacKinlay, a Pediatrician in Vernon. (Interior Heath)

This year’s flu causing hallucinations among children: Vernon pediatrician

Her daughter started experiencing hallucinations the morning after a feverish night

A child with the flu can have hallucinations, but be assured these episodes can be brief and don’t require treatment, says Dr. Kathryn MacKinlay, a Pediatrician in Vernon. (Interior Heath)
B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix pauses while speaking in Burnaby, B.C., May 30, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Pediatric critical care plan part of B.C.’s new measures to better hospital capacity

Health Minister Adrian Dix says B.C. working to improve hospital capacity in pediatric units

B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix pauses while speaking in Burnaby, B.C., May 30, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Lily Lee administered inoculations, acted as a school nurse and served as a liaison between health and welfare. (The Canadian Press)

Ex-nurse donates $3.8M for health unit in Downtown Eastside where she worked in 1950s

Lily Lee made her donation through the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation

Lily Lee administered inoculations, acted as a school nurse and served as a liaison between health and welfare. (The Canadian Press)
(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Interior Health warns of monkeypox automated call scam

IH doesn’t use automated calls to notify people about exposure to infectious diseases

(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Interior Health and local police are investigating an incident involving the death of a patient at the Penticton Regional Hospital on Oct. 10. (File photo)

Interior Health, RCMP investigating patient fatality at Penticton hospital

IH says there was no direct threat to staff or other patients inside the psychiatric unit

Interior Health and local police are investigating an incident involving the death of a patient at the Penticton Regional Hospital on Oct. 10. (File photo)
A person receives a COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination clinic run by Vancouver Coastal Health, in Richmond, B.C., Saturday, April 10, 2021. Provincial officials say shipments of Pfizer’s new COVID-19 vaccine targeting the Omicron variant are expected in British Columbia soon, after Health Canada approved the shot. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

B.C. to get 1.7 million doses of new Pfizer bivalent vaccine from next week

Moderna’s equivalent bivalent shot is already available to those aged 18 and older

A person receives a COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination clinic run by Vancouver Coastal Health, in Richmond, B.C., Saturday, April 10, 2021. Provincial officials say shipments of Pfizer’s new COVID-19 vaccine targeting the Omicron variant are expected in British Columbia soon, after Health Canada approved the shot. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward