Healthcare

Health Minister Adrian Dix arrives to discuss details about the latest restrictions announced around gatherings due to the surge of the COVID-19 variant Omicron during a news conference in Victoria on Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021. The incoming president of a group that represents orthopedic surgeons across British Columbia is questioning the health minister’s claims that nearly all surgeries that were cancelled in the first and later waves of the pandemic have been completed.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Patients in B.C. waiting too long for surgery, not being counted by province: doctor

The incoming leader of a group that represents surgeons across British Columbia…

Health Minister Adrian Dix arrives to discuss details about the latest restrictions announced around gatherings due to the surge of the COVID-19 variant Omicron during a news conference in Victoria on Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021. The incoming president of a group that represents orthopedic surgeons across British Columbia is questioning the health minister’s claims that nearly all surgeries that were cancelled in the first and later waves of the pandemic have been completed.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
NDP MP Don Davies speaks during a news conference on blood plasma clinics in Ottawa, Tuesday, November 15, 2016. NDP health critic Don Davies says he expects the Liberals to make good its promise to deliver national pharmacare, but perhaps not all at once. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

NDP expects phased-in approach to national pharmacare promise in deal with Liberals

Liberals have promised the NDP to pass a Canada Pharmacare Act by the end of next year

NDP MP Don Davies speaks during a news conference on blood plasma clinics in Ottawa, Tuesday, November 15, 2016. NDP health critic Don Davies says he expects the Liberals to make good its promise to deliver national pharmacare, but perhaps not all at once. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Sheila Malcolmson announced the implementation of 500 new complex-care housing spaces across the province on Tuesday (March 22). (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

$164 million health-care linked, eviction-free housing project coming to B.C.

100 complex-care spaces to be created in Greater Victoria, among 500 across B.C. by 2023

Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Sheila Malcolmson announced the implementation of 500 new complex-care housing spaces across the province on Tuesday (March 22). (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)
Emergency-room nurse Eram Chhogala poses for a photograph at a park near her home, in Toronto, Thursday, March 17, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Tijana Martin

Two years in, no moving on from COVID-19 for Canada’s exhausted health-care workers

40 health organizations called for urgent government action to address ailing system

Emergency-room nurse Eram Chhogala poses for a photograph at a park near her home, in Toronto, Thursday, March 17, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Tijana Martin
A group of cheerful leprechauns spread some love for healthcare workers on St. Patrick’s Day, May 17. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

St. Patrick’s Day surprise greets Vernon hospital staff

Leprechauns share love for healthcare workers at shift change

A group of cheerful leprechauns spread some love for healthcare workers on St. Patrick’s Day, May 17. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
Crystal Head, of Vernon, was Interior Health's first nurse prescriber. (Photo submitted)

Vernon nurses among the first to tackle ‘toxic drug crisis’

IH nurse prescribers have written more than 450 prescriptions for Suboxone in past year

Crystal Head, of Vernon, was Interior Health's first nurse prescriber. (Photo submitted)
Vernon Jubilee Hospital, 2022. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

Poetic appreciation for Vernon healthcare

LETTER: Resident rhymes recent experience

Vernon Jubilee Hospital, 2022. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
FILE – Cariboo Memorial Hospital staff were moved to tears Sunday evening, Sept. 19, when first responders drove past the hospital in a salute to health care workers, complete with lights and sirens. Health care workers in B.C. have faced increased pressures brought on by a fourth wave of COVID-19. (Angie Mindus video photo)

B.C. prioritizes health care, social workers in changes to immigration program

Amid staffing shortages in health care, B.C. is implementing a new program…

FILE – Cariboo Memorial Hospital staff were moved to tears Sunday evening, Sept. 19, when first responders drove past the hospital in a salute to health care workers, complete with lights and sirens. Health care workers in B.C. have faced increased pressures brought on by a fourth wave of COVID-19. (Angie Mindus video photo)
Providing day-to-day support for a loved one can take a toll on the caregiver. Photo: Unsplash.com

Who cares for the caregiver? A B.C. senior’s struggle to care for her husband

Elder abuse and caregiver self-neglect are more common than you think: Seniors Advocate

Providing day-to-day support for a loved one can take a toll on the caregiver. Photo: Unsplash.com
Michael Amyot is recovering at Vancouver General Hospital after undergoing a lung transplant. (Photo submitted by Michael Amyot)

B.C. man ‘grateful’ for community outpouring amid double lung transplant on Valentine’s Day

Family ‘overwhelmed’ by community support for his recovery

Michael Amyot is recovering at Vancouver General Hospital after undergoing a lung transplant. (Photo submitted by Michael Amyot)
Interior Health is looking at two options to lease space – one close to the Golden Hospital and one that’s further away. (File photo)

$1.8 million Primary Care Network to be developed in Golden

It’s a part of the $10.8 million 2022 budget for the Kootenay East Regional Hospital District Board

Interior Health is looking at two options to lease space – one close to the Golden Hospital and one that’s further away. (File photo)
Thousands of foreign-trained doctors are unable to practise medicine in Canada, despite severe doctor shortages. (Unsplash)

Regulations prevent foreign-trained B.C. doctor from practising

Despite severe doctor shortage, international medical graduates face years of barriers in Canada

Thousands of foreign-trained doctors are unable to practise medicine in Canada, despite severe doctor shortages. (Unsplash)
FILE – Registered nurse Dana Pagazzi receives supplies as she attends to a patient in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit at Surrey Memorial Hospital in Surrey, B.C., Friday, June 4, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

B.C. funds 602 new seats at post-secondary institutions to address nursing shortage

The province is funding an additional 602 new nursing seats at post-secondary…

FILE – Registered nurse Dana Pagazzi receives supplies as she attends to a patient in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit at Surrey Memorial Hospital in Surrey, B.C., Friday, June 4, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
A woman wears a protective face covering to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 as she walks past the emergency entrance of Vancouver General Hospital in Vancouver, B.C., Friday, April 9, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Physician assistants could fill part of B.C.’s need for more doctors: advocates

Pandemic and opioid crisis have highlighted B.C.’s lack of doctors

A woman wears a protective face covering to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 as she walks past the emergency entrance of Vancouver General Hospital in Vancouver, B.C., Friday, April 9, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
IH employees get a free day of skiing and 50 percent off rentals on March (Big White Ski Resort)

Kelowna’s health-care workers can ski their stressors away

Interior Health employees can claim a free lift ticket and half priced rentals on March 2, 9 and 30

IH employees get a free day of skiing and 50 percent off rentals on March (Big White Ski Resort)
David Bridges, right, and others participate in a rally outside the B.C. legislature Wednesday (Feb. 9) calling for the province to end its planned phase-out of individualized autism funding. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Rallying parents, opposition scorn B.C. government over new autism funding model

Province phasing out individualized funding for neurodiverse children and youth by 2025

David Bridges, right, and others participate in a rally outside the B.C. legislature Wednesday (Feb. 9) calling for the province to end its planned phase-out of individualized autism funding. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)
FILE – A vial of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is displayed on a counter at a pharmacy in Portland, Ore., Monday, Dec. 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

All remaining B.C. health-care workers must be vaccinated against COVID-19 by March 24

Dr. Bonnie Henry had initially hinted at mandate in the fall

FILE – A vial of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is displayed on a counter at a pharmacy in Portland, Ore., Monday, Dec. 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
In this Aug. 2, 2021, file photo, COVID ward healthcare worker watches from behind his face shield, double masks and full personal protective equipment as he works with a COVID-19 patient. (AP Photo/Ted Jackson, File)

British Columbians increasingly concerned about quality of health-care

45% of British Columbians believe service has declined in the last 5 years

In this Aug. 2, 2021, file photo, COVID ward healthcare worker watches from behind his face shield, double masks and full personal protective equipment as he works with a COVID-19 patient. (AP Photo/Ted Jackson, File)
Sally Riske is suing her former employer for ‘constructive dismissal’ (Okanagan Health Surgical Center)

Kelowna nurse sues after being terminated for not getting COVID vaccine

Sally Riske claims that her employer did not have just cause to terminate her for not getting vaccinated

Sally Riske is suing her former employer for ‘constructive dismissal’ (Okanagan Health Surgical Center)
Members of the Métis society present a painting, along with bannock, jam and tea to health care workers at the Golden hospital to show their appreciation for them throughout the pandemic. (Claire Palmer photo)

Columbia River Métis Society show support for Golden health care workers

A painting, along with bannock, jam and tea were presented to the hospital last week

Members of the Métis society present a painting, along with bannock, jam and tea to health care workers at the Golden hospital to show their appreciation for them throughout the pandemic. (Claire Palmer photo)
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